Maksim Chmerkovskiy is finally home after a harrowing escape from war-torn Ukraine.
The Dancing With the Stars pro landed safely on Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport, as the his home country battles an invasion from neighboring Russia.
SplashMaksim and his wife Peta share an emotional hug after his arrival in the U.S.
SplashThe Dancing with the Stars pro had a harrowing time escaping Ukraine
Maksim was immediately greeted with an emotional hug from his wife, fellow dancer Peta Murgatroyd.
The 42-year-old was overseas as a judge for the Ukrainian version of “World of Dance” while his wife remained in Los Angeles with their 5-year-old son, Shai.
Speaking to reporters outside the airport terminal, Maksim said: “The reason why Ukraine is standing right now is because of the Ukrainian people.
“And the fact that the entire world is helping.”
He then made a plea for help on behalf of his homeland.
“If we don’t get involved, this thing is going to go everywhere else,” he expressed.
Most read in The Sun
CHAR-LEAVING DE MELO
Charlie De Melo quits Corrie after five years playing Imran Habeeb
HELL ON EARTH
‘2,000 civilians’ killed in Ukraine as horrifying pics show deadly air strike
VLAD’S TANKING
Demoralised and ‘CRYING’ Russians ‘surrendering without a fight’ in Ukraine
SAVE IT
Martin Lewis urges prepayment meter customers to stockpile energy before bills rise
CHARRED WRECKS
Incredible pics show smouldering Russian convoy as Putin’s Kyiv siege stalls
not faier
Inside Billie Faiers’ row with neighbours at £1.4m Essex mansion
“I think that in 2022, following this action, we have to completely rethink the way we do things as a planet.
“There can never again be one person who can do something like this ever again.
We have to have checks and balances globally, not just one country at a time.”
CITY ON FIRE
After he arrived in Los Angeles, he shared an update to Instagram, showing the aftermath of a city on fire.
“WAR,” he captioned the post. “This is Zhytomyr RIGHT NOW!100% CIVILIAN AREA!
“THEY ARE TRYING TO SAVE PEOPLE FROM UNDER THE BUILDING!”
UNDER ARREST
Just getting out of the country was a harrowing ordeal.
Amid the chaos the choreographer posted a video earlier in the week revealing he was arrested while trying to flee the country.
Late Monday afternoon, he posted an update to his Instagram story, confirming that he made it safely to a train and calling the scenario “traumatizing.”
“Currently I’m in a cabin with 4 adults and 7 kids (ages 2-11),” which would normally be occupied by only 3 people, Maksim explained.
“We’re heading to Warsaw (hopefully). Train to Lviv was not an option.”
He filmed a longer video earlier, while walking outside in Ukraine with buildings visible behind him.
“There’s a lot to unpack. I’m trying to stay focused. I’m going to try to make my way out,” he said in the five-minute update video.
“At one point, I got arrested,” Maksim told his followers, though he didn’t go into detail about when and where the arrest took place.
“For me, that was a reality check.”
A WORLD AWAY
Now safely back at home, Maksim is forced to watch the war unfold across the globe and hope for the best.
Standing with reporters on Wednesday, he confessed he will never be the same.
Like my old PTSD I’ve finally fixed is coming back.”
“This is stressful and I’m getting old feelings back, like I’ve done this before. This does feel like the way it was when and why we left in the ’90s.
SplashPeta Murgatroyd wiped away tears after he husband’s safe landing
SplashThe dancer revealed he was arrested while trying to flee the war torn country
GettyThe husband and wife duo competed on the dancing reality show
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at exclusive@dotifi.com or call 212 416 4552.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @tweeterests
Spread the love & Comment on Social Media !