In the small Ukrainian village of Vishnivka, surrounded by golden wheat fields and picturesque hills, a wedding celebration unfolded last spring. The air was saturated with the fragrance of blossoming cherries, and the sounds of traditional Ukrainian music – the strings of the bandra and the melodies of the sopilka – filled hearts with joy.

It was a day of unity, love and hope, when the whole village gathered to celebrate the union of Elena and Nikolai, two young people who found love despite the hardships of life in a country where resilience was part of every day.

The war in Ukraine cast a shadow over the land, but in Vishnivka people clung to moments of happiness. Weddings were more than just celebrations – they became an act of resistance, proof that life can flourish even in the darkest of times.

Almost the entire village came to the celebration, from gray-haired grandmothers in embroidered shirts to children running around in the grass.

The tables were bursting with homemade dumplings, borscht and golden korovai – traditional wedding bread decorated with intricate dough patterns. The laughter of the guests mingled with the clinking of glasses raised for the future of the newlyweds.

But none of those gathered suspected that an ominous threat was approaching the celebration. …