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03rd May 2022

Heartwarming video shows nurse’s first dance at wedding after losing legs to Russian landmine

Steve Hopkins

The couple said ‘life should not be postponed until later’

A Ukrainian nurse has been filmed enjoying her first dance with her husband after losing her legs in a landmine blast that could have claimed both of their lives.

The woman, who has been identified only as Oksana, is seen dancing with the groom Victor after they got married in a small hospital ward with guests greeting their union with a round of applause.

The 23-year-old lost both legs and four fingers on her left hand after a mine exploded under her in the eastern city of Lysychansk, on March 27, a tweet by the Ukrainian parliament reads.

The Lviv Medical Association stated that Oksana was heading home with Victor on a “familiar path” and turned to warn her future husband when the mine went off.

While Victor survived the incident unscathed, Oksana was badly injured and required four operations before being taken to Dnipro to recover. She is currently preparing to have prosthetics fitted.

A week ago the couple, who have two children, were evacuated to Lviv.

“Life should not be postponed until later, decided Oksana and Victor, who in six years together never found time for marriage,” the association said.

The couple bought wedding rings in Lviv and found Oksana a white dress. A cake was baked by volunteers.

Oksana is now preparing to travel to Germany with her husband for further treatment, the organisation told Sky News.

The wedding has provided a rare glimpse of joy during months of suffering in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24.

Ukraine’s Parliament called it a “very special love story.”

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