Love in the time of Putin: the Russian activists who married on invasion day

They exchanged vows. Then they went to protest. On their wedding day, Moscow activists Polina Oleinikova and Arshak Makiycha woke up to the news that Putin had begun a “special military operation” in Ukraine. Like most Russians, they knew Putin might try to consolidate power, but they didn’t believe he’d attempt to take over the whole country. So after considering cancelling their vows, they decided their marriage was now more critical than ever. Ada Wordsworth talks to the happy couple about anti-war activism in Russia, protests under Putin, and their wedding on the day of the invasion.