Yuriy Yaroshenko, the husband of Ukrainian actress Natalka Denysenko, has explained in detail for the first time why, amid the full-scale war, he can legally cross the state border. In an interview with host Slava Demin, referenced by the outlet Wave RBC.UA, he said that at a young age doctors identified a congenital condition that rendered him unfit for military service. Until now, the man had only confirmed that he crosses the border on legal grounds, without disclosing the specific reason.
First Talk About the Diagnosis: Condition Detected at Age 21
According to Yaroshenko, he learned about his health problems at age 21, while studying at the Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. During a medical examination, doctors detected a condition affecting his internal organs, and it was this diagnosis that became the basis for his being deemed unfit for military service. He emphasized, however, that this is not a disability: he has not had it officially certified, and, to his knowledge, this condition does not qualify for a disability status.
Why He Crosses the Border and What It Means for His Life
Yaroshenko explained that the condition is congenital and requires regular medical monitoring, as well as certain restrictions in everyday life: in particular, he has to carefully watch his diet and follow other health-related recommendations. He refused to name the specific diagnosis, citing a desire not to publicly disclose the details of his condition. "I haven't had it certified, and apparently this condition doesn't qualify for a disability, as far as I know. I see no point in talking about it, because I could die the day after tomorrow," he stated in the interview.
The Story of His Relationship with Natalka Denysenko
As is known, the couple met thanks to actor Taras Tsymbaliuk, who introduced them to each other. According to the actress, her first impression of her future husband was not the best — she considered Yuriy to be overly self-confident. The relationship gradually grew into a romance that they kept private for a long time. An important milestone was Yaroshenko meeting the actress's son, Andriy: the man found common ground with the boy, which was of paramount importance to Natalka. In June 2026, Yuriy proposed to Natalka during a trip to Turkey, and the actress's son was the witness to that moment.
Contradictory Data
When fact-checking, it is worth noting two inconsistencies that could be misleading. First, open sources mention a Yuriy Yaroshenko of the same name — a figure in a Russian state treason case, who, according to several media reports, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence. This is a different person, unrelated to the actress's husband, and it is unacceptable to transfer these details to him. Second, in earlier publications about Natalka Denysenko's personal life, her partner during the war was described as a "warrior" (one article mentions the surname Fedinchuk), whereas she is now married to Yaroshenko, who, by his own account, is unfit for service. Thus, the media landscape contains different versions of who her close person is and what his status regarding military service is; this longread relies exclusively on Yaroshenko's own direct statements in the fresh interview.
