Editorial photo #12445459 Unrest, Conflicts and War
Ukrainian veteran dances on prosthetic legs with his wife for first time in Lviv
Oleksandr Zhavnenko, 36, a veteran of the 12th Special Forces Brigade, and his wife Marichka Zhavnenko have their first dance at the House of Scholars with sparkling wine after the Ukrainian defender loses his lower limbs in Lviv, Ukraine, on June 4, 2025. Oleksandr Zhavnenko and his wife Marichka meet in the Mriia (Dream) folk dance ensemble. Later, he becomes a drone operator at the Azov Brigade. In October 2024, a Russian shell hits Oleksandr's position, and he loses both lower limbs. Since sustaining the serious injury, the defender dreams of returning to playing sports, traveling, and going out on the dance floor with his beloved Marichka again. (Photo by Anastasiia Smolienko/Ukrinform) NO USE RUSSIA. NO USE BELARUS. (Photo by Ukrinform/NurPhoto)
