Dozens of Russian couples tie the knot in mass wedding fast-tracked for men mobilised to Ukraine

Russia is now holding fast-tracked mass weddings for men mobilised to fight in Ukraine.

Footage from a ceremony in St Petersburg last week shows dozens of couples exchanging nuptials simultaneously.

The newlyweds gave their voluntary agreements to wed from their seats at the Sestroretsk Registry Office, video from local TV outlet SCTV.ru revealed.

The unique ceremony comes after Moscow added mobilisation to the list of ‘exceptional cases’ that allows a wedding to be fast-tracked.

Russian law states that without an exception, couples cannot get married until at least one month after a marriage application is submitted.

The TV outlet claims the fast tracking weddings for soldiers ahead of deployment is ‘good for morale’ and ‘creates a sense of stability.’ 

However, critics argue the ‘accelerated procedure’ is for the sole purpose of securing compensation for soldiers’ wives in case they die on the frontlines. 

‘Let me shake your hand before and say thank you,’ local deputy Vera Sergeeva, speaking in Russian, told one soldier who participated in the ceremony. 

‘You didn’t run away, not scared that you’re here and the victory will be ours.’

Ms Sergeeva added: ‘The legislature’s gift to you is a marriage ceremony.’

An estimated 43 couples participated in the mass ceremony last week. The couples were reportedly wed in groups of 10. 

The couples completed individual marriage applications and had a ceremony simultaneously, with each pair getting the change to individually say: ‘I do.’ 

Then the newlyweds exchanged rings and kisses at the same time, standing between their chairs in the conference hall. 

The newlyweds gave their voluntary agreements to wed from their seats at the Sestroretsk Registry Office

The unique ceremony comes after Moscow added mobilisation to the list of ‘exceptional cases’ that allows a wedding to be fast-tracked. Russian law states that without an exception, couples cannot get married until at least one month after a marriage application is submitted

The TV outlet claims the fast tracking weddings for soldiers ahead of deployment is ‘good for morale’ and ‘creates a sense of stability’

The ceremony leader noted how Russia’s process of marriage requires ‘formal confirmation of approval of loved ones and the state.’

Ms Sergeeva argued the fast-tracked ceremony was a ‘great gift’ and ‘very nice for all.’

‘This creates a sense of stability,’ she said. ‘I am absolutely convinced that on a woman’s fragile shoulders she also holds much love.’

One couple who participated in the ceremony told SCTV they were happy to formalise their relationship, The Insider reported.

‘I have known for a long time,’ one groom said.

He and his wife noted how ‘of course, we wanted to’ get married and that ‘in the long run we chose the right date.’

‘I didn’t expect to have such a wedding actually,’ the bride said of the ceremony.

She apparently expected to wait some time before officially becoming a wife. 

Another mobilised suitor who participated in the ceremony added: ‘The gift is very good, for the whole family. I’ll come back from the war, we’ll definitely have a drink from him.’