The Ukrainian edition of “The Bachelor” is set to return with 28-year-old war veteran Oleksandr Budko as the lead.

Produced by Starlight Media (an STB channel) and Warner Bros. International Television, the iconic dating format has been adapted in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Budko’s casting is a key part of that. The war vet signed up to defend his country in February 2022 and within six months was promoted to platoon commander. But his army career was cut short during the battle for Kharkiv when a shell landed near him, causing Budko to lose both his legs. He has since undergone extensive rehabilitation and had prosthetics fitted.