Ukrainian choreographer Ilona Gvozdeva, known for her performances on world stages, has publicly revealed for the first time what her husband, Ivan Khyomyuk, is doing during the full-scale war. In an episode of the YouTube project «Naspravdi Show», the artist shared details that had long remained behind the scenes of their family life.
Change of Activity: From Business to Service
Before the invasion, Ivan Khyomyuk was known as an entrepreneur in the service sector. He ran a catering business, organizing events and providing food. However, with the start of the hostilities, his professional focus changed radically.
Gvozdeva confirmed that her husband is currently serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, the choreographer emphasized that the details of his service remain classified. According to Ilona, Ivan works on objects of critical military infrastructure, and discussing the specifics of his tasks is impossible due to security protocols.
Love Story: From a Metro Door to Church Wedding
Aside from news about her husband's service, Ilona recalled the beginning of their romantic story. The couple met in a regular city metro: her future husband held the door for her, and this gesture became the starting point of their relationship. Since then, they have not parted.
The path to the altar took the lovers five years. Gvozdeva admitted that waiting for a proposal dragged on, and she had to apply the tactic of a "final warning." Jokingly, she noted that her husband might have been teasing her, testing her patience. In the end, Ilona packed her things and left, issuing an ultimatum: either marriage or a breakup. This move worked, and the couple got married.
Family Values and Overcoming Crises
Today, the couple has been together for 17 years. They entered into an official marriage in 2014, and in 2023 decided to get married in church. The family is raising two children: daughter Valeriya and son Dominic.
Ilona emphasized that all their achievements — both in career and in life — were obtained through their own hard work. However, their joint path has not always been smooth. The couple has experienced serious crises, including an attempt at divorce last year. Despite the fact that Ilona was not making a decision to break off the relationship for the first time, this time the couple managed to save the family and resolve accumulated problems.
