How to Wait for a Loved One from War Without Losing Yourself

War has become a serious trial for Ukrainian families. Prolonged separation, constant anxiety for the life of a loved one, uncertainty about the future, and emotional exhaustion are changing even those relationships that once seemed strong.

According to data from the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the State Judicial Administration, in 2025, Ukrainians registered 165.6 thousand marriages, while 124.8 thousand marriages were dissolved. Although the number of divorces decreased by 12% compared to 2024, their level remains significant. In the crisis year of 2024, the number of marriages concluded and dissolved was almost equal—about 150 and 142 thousand, respectively.

War has become especially difficult for couples where one partner is on the front line. Ukrainian psychological studies from 2025–2026 highlight that wives of servicemen face prolonged stress, loneliness, lack of emotional support, and changes in relationships. Women are forced to adapt to life without their partner’s daily presence, independently resolve household and family issues, and live in constant anticipation of news from the front.

But how can you maintain an emotional connection with a loved one when there are hundreds of kilometers between you and communication is sometimes limited to a few messages? How can you cope with fear, jealousy, loneliness, and resentment? Is it possible to preserve intimacy after months or years of separation? And how can you prepare for the return of a man who has experienced combat and may have changed?