Ukrainian newlyweds spend honeymoon fighting Russian invasion

A couple who got married on the first day of the Russian invasion ended up spending their honeymoon defending their country.

Ukrainian newlyweds spend honeymoon fighting Russian invasion. Picture: Twitter/Visegrád 24.

A Ukrainian couple got married on the first day of the Russian invasion and then joined the fight to protect their country.

Yaryna Arieva and Sviatoslav Fursin shared their story with CNN host Don Lemon on Don Lemon Tonight, available to stream on Flash.

The couple were due to tie the knot on May 6 but decided to move their big day forward when Russia launched its attack on Ukraine last week.

Hours after their wedding, the pair enlisted with the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces and collected their weapons.

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Yaryna Arieva and Sviatoslav Fursinon on Don Lemon Tonight. Picture: CNN/Flash.

“It’s hard to understand, this new reality that we have,” the young bride told the broadcaster.

Arieva said it’s the first day of spring and people usually plant sunflowers instead, they will be resisting Russia’s invasion.

“No one here is saying that we will lose, or is crying. Everyone here believes we will win. It’s all just a question of time. So, I am very happy to see this great amount of people, really being ready to fight. Being ready to kill for their land. Having no doubt about our win in this war,” she said.

Her husband, Fursin said his “people always want to be free. These people are ready to fight for their freedom.”

The couple got married on the first day of the Russian invasion. Picture: Twitter/Visegrád 24.

Hours after their wedding, the newlyweds enlisted with the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces. Picture: Twitter/Visegrád 24.

Taking part in combat missions, he said he has concerns about the safety of his family and he “will do everything to protect them”.

Arieva said it’s “hard waiting for my husband to come back from combat missions,” but everyone in the defence force is helping each other.

“Life here is different, but it is life. People joke and laugh. That is very interesting to see. It is another kind of life that has changed with the beginning of war but it is life,” she said.

The duo have asked the international community to help Ukraine with money, food, weapons, and medical assistance and apply more sanctions against Russia.

Fursin said he hopes his family, wife and comrades are alive and gather them “all in one place and drink a good glass of wine. And say to everybody, ‘Hurray, war is ended, we won.’”