Russia’s invasion has upended all aspects of life in Ukraine, and intimacy is no exception. “It’s a real trauma, and trauma and romance don’t go together,” said a sex therapist in Kyiv. 'In war, there is no time for pleasure.'
KYIV, Ukraine — With his strong build, black hair and easy smile, Vlad had little problem finding about 200 matches on Tinder in Kharkiv ahead of his military unit’s break in the eastern Ukrainian city, as he swiped on the dating app from his position on the front lines.It was admittedly a lower number than his halcyon prewar days in Kyiv, when Vlad said he once compiled a record 1,238 Tinder matches.
“When you’re there, you’re constantly being shelled — there’s constant adrenaline and stress and wounded friends and concussions. You see death, every kind of death, and you can only handle it for so long,” said Kyrylo Dorolenko, 36, a junior lieutenant in the Ukrainian military.Dorolenko said he and his men sometimes set up dates when given a break from front-line duties. But, he added, “You don’t have enough time to switch your reality to be gentle, emotional and affectionate.
“It’s a real trauma, and trauma and romance don’t go together,” Kolomiychuk said. “When people are struggling to survive, they don’t think about intimacy, about sex, because it’s about pleasure, recreation … In war, there is no time for pleasure. There is no time for recreation.”Soldiers in particular are often forced to numb their feelings in a war zone, said Casey Taft, a professor at Boston University’s school of medicine who works with veterans and their partners.
Genia Aslanian, 32, of Kyiv, broke up with her boyfriend, Anton, in 2019 because he wanted to move to Canada to attend flight school there. “We were so spoiled. We were so stupid, and let unimportant things drive us apart. Before, we were like: ‘What about his job, what about my job, what about where we live?,’” Aslanian said.
“It’s like I never met her. It’s like I’ve never seen her. It’s almost like meeting a stranger,” Sachko said. “We will need to learn each other again.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine live briefing: Zelensky says Russia seeking to exhaust Ukraine; Russian military facility hitUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is hoping to use Iranian-made drones in a prolonged air campaign that aims to exhaust the Ukrainian people.
Read more »
3 Vital Truths About Intimacy Every Couple Needs to UnderstandHealthy relationships can't survive or thrive without both emotional and physical intimacy. Here are 3 keys to a satisfying bond for everyone to be aware of.
Read more »
10 Questions to Build Intimacy With a PartnerAsking personal questions can build intimacy between almost any two people. For romantic partners, the same is true—if they ask the right ones.
Read more »
NATO chief calls on allies to stockpile weapons for Ukraine: ReportNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called on NATO allies to stock up on weapons to supply Ukraine, to fight off attacks from Russia.
Read more »
Russia presses its Ukraine strategy, fires 40 drones at KyivThe attack signaled that the Kremlin wasn't planning any letup in its strategy of using bombardments to target civilian infrastructure and wear down Ukrainian resistance to its invasion.
Read more »