Olena and Aleksander met two years ago. The war in Ukraine did not throw them onto the Exodus road. They have decided to stay in Severodonetsk in the Donbass region, where they have made a converted basement their little nest. “My husband gave me these flowers this morning, the young woman shows, it made me really happy. A bit of romance in this underground bunker. In this cellar, too, he proves his love for me every day.
The bouquet of red tulips illuminates a dark, damp hallway that opens into a small room that has been converted into a bedroom. “When I’m scared, I hug him or hold his hand and I feel reassured,” smiles Olena.
Love is stronger than war!
The evidence is in this couple hiding in the basement of a building in Severodonetsk, Donbass. pic.twitter.com/vnvNBmlAMW— Omar Ouahmane (@ouahmane_omar) April 15, 2022
The eastern Ukrainian city, which is close to pro-Russian separatist positions, had a population of more than 100,000 before the war. It is almost emptied of its population today. Even in the dugout in this basement you can hear the crash of bombs.
“Sometimes we think back to all the good times we had when it was still peaceful and we laughed together, it does us a lot of good.”
Aleksander hums notes. It’s his other love in his life. This former postman is still suffering from the bombing that devastated his home. “I lived in a building on Rue Gagarin that was bombed by a Grad missile, he says. My piano was completely destroyed, I also lost my guitars, violin and accordion. It’s a great loss.” Is music everything for him? “No, it’s more than anything to me, he lets go, but he’s laughing again. Actually no: my wife matters more than anything, and music is my second wife.”
Aleksander gave his wife Olena a bouquet of tulips (GILLES GALLINARO / RADIO FRANCE)
Olena smiled: “As soon as the war is over, we’ll make a baby.” A glimmer of hope, because the war in Donbass is expected to intensify in the coming days.
War in Ukraine: the bridal couple from Severodonetsk at the microphone of Omar Ouahmane and Gilles Gallinaro
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