Oksana Balandin, 23, was seriously hurt when a landmine exploded near her home. But she stayed tough and was able to save her partner, Viktor Vasyliv, who ultimately became her husband a few weeks after their rescue.
A newlywed couple’s first dance is traditionally one of the most anticipated events of their wedding day, not just for the couple but also for their guests. As for the bride, Oksana Balandina, her husband Viktor Vasyliv made certain that she didn’t miss out on the gorgeous exchange.
On Monday, the couple exchanged vows at a hospital in the Ukrainian city of Lviv. Just weeks after losing both of her legs in a landmine explosion in Ukraine, Vasiliev, who is 23 years old like his wife, was seen carrying Balandina in his arms as they danced in a touching moment.
According to Sky News, Balandina was injured in a landmine explosion on March 27 while traveling “on a familiar road” to their house in Lysychansk, according to the Lviv Medical Association. Despite the fact that she was injured, she called out to her partner, who was walking immediately behind her. Vasiliev was unharmed thanks to her attentiveness even throughout those chaotic seconds.
‘I just managed to yell to him: ‘Honey, look!” she said, according to Reuters and PEOPLE magazine. Despite the fact that he ‘didn’t know what to do’ immediately after the explosion, Vasyliv recalls that his fearless companion was able to figure out what they should do next. ‘I’m not sure what would have happened if it hadn’t been for Oksana’s intervention. She is quite strong,’ Vasyliv said.
Due to the tragedy, Balandina was forced to have four operations, during which both of her legs and four fingers on her left hand were amputated. Balandina is now recovering from her trauma. She was thankfully transported to Dnipro, where she got the medical attention and care she needed to survive. In the following days, the pair flew to Lviv, which is located 50 miles from the Polish border, where they were married in a civil ceremony at the Lviv Surgery Center on Monday afternoon.
Watch their heart-warming dance video below: