First civil wedding in devastated Ukraine city despite ongoing war

Ivan Khvatov and Olessya Khvatova take part in a wedding ceremony   -  
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ALEKSEY FILIPPOV/AFP or licensors

As wedding season gets under way in Ukraine despite months of war, couples are faced with a difficult choice : celebrate their unions in style or stay discreet so as not to upset anyone.

At the wedding registry in Irpin, a town close to Kyiv that has been devastated by Russia's invasion, Ivan Khvatov, 39, and Olesya Khvatova, 41, celebrated their nuptials in restrained fashion.

There were no guests or witnesses present, the couple wore jeans and trainers and Wednesday's ceremony conducted by a registrar was over in minutes -- just time for a kiss after signing the registry.

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