Ukrainian-born former Dancing with the Stars forefront Maxim Chmerkovsky He was arrested and released in his homeland during the ongoing Russian invasion, and now he plans to leave Kyiv.
In a five-minute video posted today on his Instagram page, Chmerkovskiy informed his followers of his plans to leave Kyiv, where he was filming a project called UA الرقص Dance World, and across the border, most likely into Poland. “There is a lot of fighting everywhere,” Chmerkovsky says in the mobile video. “The streets are crazy. At some point I was arrested…but all the best, promise. “
Chmerkovsky describes his arrest succinctly: “This was perhaps the least shocking moment in this whole thing as much Ukraine concerned, but for me it was just a reality check… a crazy reality check.” He did not give additional details about the arrest.
“I’m going to try to make my way out, and start trying to get closer to the border,” he says. Chmerkovsky is married to a colleague Dancing with the Stars Loyal Peta Murgatroyd and the couple have a 5-year-old son. They live in Los Angeles.
“I’m just trying to stay focused,” Chmerkovsky says, adding, “I have options. My choices are better than most unfortunately. I’m a bit nervous to be honest with you, but I think he’s going to be okay. Well, I know he’s going to be okay.”
Chmerkovskiy also asks his fans not to “panic” if he does not immediately reappear on social media. “If it disappears a little, please don’t worry.” The professional dancer explains that he is in touch with his family – his wife, brother, and parents – but does not respond directly to friends, distant relatives and fans at the moment.
Finally, Chmerkovsky spoke out against the reported “unfair treatment” on the Ukraine-Poland border. Although he does not provide details, Cherkovsky is apparently referring to allegations by African citizens of unfair and racist treatment while trying to flee Ukraine. Chmerkovsky says he has no direct evidence of the reported racism, but that “where there is smoke there is fire.”
“Any unfair treatment is wrong,” he says.
Watch the full video below.