Maxim Chmerkovski escaped torn warning Ukraine in search of safety on a “sweaty and claustrophobic” train full of women and children heading for Warsaw, Polandafter his arrest in the capital Kyiv.
the Ukrainian Dancing with the stars The 42-year-old professional updated followers in a series of social media posts on Monday, detailing his “traumatic” attempt to escape the country amid the Russian invasion.
Chmerkovsky, who was in Kyiv working as a judge on the Ukrainian version of World of Dance, had planned to stay in his home country when the battle first broke out, but after receiving a “reality check” through arrest, he decided to I’m running. The country announced last week that men of military age – between 18-60 – are barred from leaving Ukraine, but because Max holds a US passport, he has been released from office.
Search for safety: Maxim Chmerkovsky escapes war-torn Ukraine in search of safety on a “sweaty and claustrophobic” train full of women and children heading to Warsaw, Poland, following his arrest in the capital Kyiv
“I succeeded in the train. We are heading to Warsaw (I hope). A train to Lviv was not an option, “the choreographer wrote. “The situation at the station is insane. It feels manageable at first, but it gets MUCH worse when it comes time to get on the train.
“It’s a long story, but all I can say now is that I’m a big man with nothing but a backpack, that’s traumatic,” he continued. “I am currently in a cabin with 4 adults and 7 children (aged 2-11), which is usually occupied by a maximum of 3 people.”
Maxim revealed that the car he is currently traveling in is equipped for about 30 riders, but the refugees were told they had to fit 135 people inside.
“The paths are full. People everywhere. It’s sweaty and claustrophobic, “he said. Photos from the station illustrate the reality star’s situation. Thousands of people were spotted gathering at low temperatures, practically standing on top of each other as they tried to get a train out of the country.
Refugees: Chmerkovsky, who was in Kyiv working as a judge on the Ukrainian version of World of Dance, was planning to stay in his home country when fighting broke out for the first time after receiving a “reality check” and was arrested. he decided to run away
One of the lucky ones: Ukraine announced last week that men of military age – between 18-60 – are banned from leaving Ukraine, but because Max holds a US passport, he has been released from office.
Under the new mandate, men of combat age are banned from leaving Ukraine, so trains are full of women and children.
In the 1990s, Maxim and his family emigrated to the United States, and he held a US passport, allowing him the rare opportunity to escape for safety.
“What finally broke me was watching an eight-year-old boy cry hysterically and not want to let go of his father,” he wrote in a heartbreaking Instagram post. “Literally, ‘If you stay, I want to stay too, because if they kill you, I can’t help it.’
His wife, Peta Margatroyd, shared his post on social media, saying she was “so proud” of her husband that she was helping refugee children.
Max’s decision to leave Kyiv for good came after he was arrested while in the capital amid a Russian military attack.
Terrifying: Thousands of people were seen gathered at low temperatures, practically on top of each other, as they tried to get a train out of the country (Pictured: Evacuation train in Kyiv)
Exit: Thousands of Ukrainians wait for hours to board trains in neighboring countries as Russian forces continue to shell cities across the country (Pictured: Lviv railway station)
“The streets are crazy,” he said. “I was arrested at one point, but again, everything is fine, I promise. This was probably the least traumatic moment in all this work as far as Ukraine is concerned, but for me it was just a test of reality.
“I’ll try to get out.” I’m going to make my way to the border. I have options. Adding: “Just a little nervous, but I think it will be fine. I know it will be fine.
Maxim publishes graphic videos of his stories and a network all over Ukraine, as the star says he is tested and stressed after seeing innocent people killed.
On Sunday, he said: “I’m in a very safe place, but it’s crazy and I think everyone is going through a lot of emotions and I think it’s time to expose mine in a more personal way.
“It’s a war. This is a crazy situation. This is crazy and I’m losing my last little things. This is not a cry for help. I’m a big boy. I can handle myself … but I’m starting to not be able to just keep my head down.
Support: His wife, Peta Margatroyd, shared his post on social media, saying she was “so proud” of her husband that she was helping refugee children.
“The reality is, I just want to go home. I just hope for a safe end to everything.
His wife Peta, 35, took to Instagram on Sunday with an emotional message saying that a sympathetic group of strangers had made a kind gesture to her amid Maxim’s absence.
“Even though I’m going through hell right now and I want it all over.”[there] is a light that shines through the darkness, “said Margatroyd, who is the mother of five-year-old son Shai of Chmerkovsky, whom she married in July 2017.
Margatroyd, a graduate of Dancing With the Stars, remains at the family’s home in California in uncertain weather. She said strangers baked her cookies and proudly brought them [her] door.
“They stood there with such wide smiles. “Let me tell you, strangers I don’t talk to thought they should go into their kitchen and bake me cookies,” she said. “They also went to Google to see if I was allergic to anything, just to make sure they didn’t hurt me.”
Last: Maxim Chmerkovsky revealed that he was arrested while in Kyiv, Ukraine, but called it “the least traumatic moment in all this work as far as Ukraine is concerned.
Chmerkowski also provided frequent updates on social media amid the conflict, saying on Thursday that he had not tried to leave the country due to security concerns around the border with Poland. The professional dancer said he thought his chances of leaving Ukraine helped him have a US passport.
Chmerkovski added that the conflict had affected him emotionally, as he said “it will never be the same” after the invasion.
“It’s stressful and I’m regaining my old feelings, as I’ve done before,” he said Thursday. “It really feels like it was when and why we left in the ’90s. Like my old post-traumatic stress disorder, which I finally corrected, is coming back.
On Sunday, Chmerkovski addressed Instagram Stories with a series of messages urging people in the dance community in European countries to help take care of refugees if they can. He shared a number of links to resources to help people get out safely amid the ongoing military conflict.
Chmerkovsky also writes: “Russia needs a revolution !!! The Russians have been lied to !!! Russians! Wake up! You will need generations to overcome this and generations of people around the world will never forgive you !!! ‘
On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered nuclear weapons to be put on high alert for a “special combat duty regime” amid heightened tensions with Europe and the United States since the invasion.
Putin cited NATO aggression against Russia, as well as economic sanctions and actions to close Russian banking institutions using the SWIFT banking system.
The UN Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting on Monday’s invasion.
Courage: On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered nuclear weapons to be put on high alert for a “special combat duty regime” amid heightened tensions with Europe and the United States following the invasion (Maxim, Peta Murgatroyd and son Shai)