Alexander Yuhan and Antonina Romanova fought against the Ukrainian army for three months (Photo: Reuters)

An LGBTQ+ couple joined the Ukrainian military and learned to fight to prevent Russia from “destroying their culture.”

Alexander Yuhan worked in the theater with his partner Antonina Romanova, 37, before the war.

In 2014, when Putin illegally annexed the Eastern Peninsula, the couple fled Crimea for Kyiv.

But on February 24, when Russia sent troops into Ukraine, they felt a second horror.

Alexander and Antonina hid in the bathroom for two days before deciding to do something, even though neither had used a weapon.

Antonina, who identifies herself by pronoun, states: I chose the third option.

Alejandro added: “Russia simply does not occupy our territory and does not kill our people. They want to destroy our culture and we do not allow it.”

Territorial defense member Olexandre Ziguinch (37) and his partner Antonina Romanova (37) interfere with members of their troops at the front lines as Russia continues to attack Ukraine at Kieu station.

The couple said their partners got them over time, with some using the correct pronouns (Photo: Reuters)

Territorial defense member Alexander Zigan (37) and his partner Antonina Romanova (37) arrive at the station and head to the front.

The couple feared that their new leader was homosexual, but this was not the case (Photo: Reuters).

As Russia's attacks on Ukraine continue, Alexander Zigan, 37, a member of Territorial Defense, and his partner Antonina Romanova, 37, board the train at the forefront.

They left for the second round of battle on May 25 (Photo: Reuters).

The couple worried that they might face homosexual discrimination and loathing in the military, but realized they “had no aggression or intimidation.”

“The only important thing on the front line is to be a good fighter,” said a senior officer.

“But over time, people called me Antonina and some used my pronoun,” Antonina said, “a bit unusual” for other soldiers.

The couple said their first business tour was so terrifying that it changed their lives.

They visited Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, about 80 miles from the port of Odessa, where Alexander was suffering from pneumonia.

After the break in May, the couple returned to the front line last Wednesday.

Territorial defense member Oleksandr Zhigan, 37, and his associate Antonio Romanova, 37, continue to attack Russia's Ukraine as Russia continues to attack Ukraine.

In response to those who say they are not gay in the military, the couple have unicorn spots on their uniforms (Photo: Reuters).

Territorial Defense member Oleksandr Zhigan, 37, and his partner Antonio Romanova, 37, are making coffee at Kieu's home as Russia continues to attack Ukraine.

Alexander and Antonina worked in the theater until they joined the army (Photo: Reuters).

Territorial defense member Olexandre Ziguinch, 37, and his partner Antonina Romanova, 37, are preparing for departure day at Kieu's home as Russia continues to attack Ukraine.

This is the second time that Russia has invaded their home, because they had to leave Crimea in 2014 (Photo: Reuters).

Alexander Ziguinch, 37, a member of the territorial defense, gets emotional when he talks about the war efforts the day he is on the front lines, as Russia's attacks against Ukraine continue at his home in Kieu.

Alexander Ziguinch was an actor, director and drama teacher before the war (Photo: Reuters)

The couple wear Ukrainian uniforms in Ukraine along with other LGBTQ+ soldiers.

It should be a humorous reaction to those who say: “There are no homosexuals in the army.”

“(Society) chose the unicorn because it looks like a ‘non-existent’ fantastical creature,” Alexander said.

Despite being largely positive, Alexandre worries that his LGBTQ+ relationship will not be respected if he dies in battle.

He is afraid that the authorities will bury his mother in a priest who “reads stupid sentences”, even though he is an atheist who wants Antonina to bury him in various ways.

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