Hours after a Russian attack destroys their home, a Ukrainian couple marries anyway

After repeated delays of their wedding caused by the war with Russia, Liudmyla Ryzhak was only hours away from marrying her partner, a Ukrainian soldier, in a ceremony in the capital. But as the couple slept, a Russian strike hit a warehouse across the street from their building, sending a blast wave through the apartment and threatening to scuttle the wedding scheduled for Tuesday morning. (AP Video by Vasilisa Stepanenko)

Liudmyla Ryzhak, right, and her fiancee Leonid Ryzhak get ready for their wedding ceremony in their damaged apartment, following a Russian missile and drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Liudmyla Ryzhak, right, kisses her fiancee Leonid Ryzhak before their wedding ceremony, following a Russian missile and drone attack, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Newly-married couple Liudmyla Ryzhak, right, and her husband Leonid Ryzhak leave after getting married, following a Russian missile and drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Liudmyla Ryzhak gets ready for her wedding to her fiancee Leonid Ryzhak in their damaged apartment, following a Russian missile and drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)