THREE LOVE STORIES DURING THE WAR: A SPECIAL PROJECT BY MILLA NOVA X ELLE UKRAINE MAGAZINE

Even in the most challenging times, people continue building relationships, getting married, and giving birth to children. Our project with Ukrainian Elle magazine was designed to honor all love stories that grew into marriages during the war.

Three couples took part in the project and shared the story of their love: from engagement to plans for the future, from family traditions to the new reality, from the deepest dreams to the greatest fears. Each of the stories is unique, but all of them are united by a limitless love that knows no obstacles, even if there are air raid alarms on the streets, sounds of explosions on the battlefield, and hundreds of kilometers of separation between them.

This project turned out not just a beautiful wedding photo shoot of three couples – it was an opportunity to reunite with bellowed ones and spend some time together in Lviv. It was a truly magical day, full of tears of happiness, vows exchanged, and the sincerest hugs.

Follow the link to dive into the interviews.

Ukraine has been at war for eight months. These three stories are just a needle in the hay. Many women will never see their husbands again because their husbands died defending Ukraine. Many women are fighting alongside men but in different battalions than their beloved ones. Many women did not survive to see their loved ones return, because they were killed by Russian missiles. And yet Ukrainians are still fighting with their hearts full of love waiting for the victory to reunite.

Love is the most powerful feeling that lights people’s lives even in the darkest times and we would like to honor that feeling along with our defenders. 

Video: Polina Grebenik

Photo: Denis Manokha

Hair: Mary Tsyhylyk

Makeup: Katya Petryshyna

Style: Natalia Osadcha