Maksim Chmerkovskiy Says 'Dancing With the Stars' Recognition Saved Him When He Was Arrested in Ukraine

Bethenny Frankel and Maksim Chmerkovskiy make an unstoppable pair. ET's Nischelle Turner spoke to Bethenny about her charitable work in Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country, and the mogul wasn't shy about praising the pro dancer, who recently returned to Poland to help with refuge relief efforts.«He has been talking to a bunch of different people. He wants to really sink his teeth in and have an impact,» she told ET. "… He's got the bug… He is seeing what's going on.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy opened up about why he is back in Europe after fleeing the continent when Russia began its invasion of his homeland Ukraine. The Dancing with the Stars pro, 42, revealed to Good Morning America on Wednesday (March 23) that he is now stationed in Poland to assist refugees of the horrific war after being overcome with guilt for escaping and not staying to help. “I feel guilty. I feel bad. I feel shame. I feel upset,” Maksim explained on the morning show.

Dancing with the Stars alum Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 42, fled Ukraine following the horrific invasion by Russia on February 22. And one day after Maksim arrived safely back in the United States to be with his wife Peta Murgatroyd, 35, and 5-year-old son, Shai Aleksander, Maksim’s Ukrainian-born father Aleksandr Chmerkovskiy, started Ukrainian relief charity Baranova27 to help those being affected by the horrific war that is still going on. Since its inception on March 3, the Chmerkovskiy family’s organization has raised nearly $120,000 which is being used to send more than 135,000 pounds of goods to Ukraine!

Peta Murgatroyd got emotional while reflecting on Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.

Peta Murgatroyd says her heart is breaking over the war in Ukraine. Maksim Chmerkovskiy's wife took to Instagram Wednesday to inform her nearly 1 million followers that she has been "struggling to get through some days" as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to escalate. Speaking on her Instagram Story, the 35-year-old broke down in tears, saying the war is "continually breaking my heart." "Sometimes I have great days.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 42, recently seemed to try and relax while getting some fresh air on the balcony of his apartment in Malibu, CA, just days after he admitted that his Dancing With the Stars fame helped him to flee Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. The ballroom dance champion was photographed looking at his phone while wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts as he looked up at cameras for a moment during the outing. He also wore white wireless ear buds and appeared to be either listening to something on his phone or chatting with someone.

For love of country. Mila Kunis, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and more Ukrainian celebrities are taking a stand and showing support for their homeland amid the unrest in Ukraine.

Peta Murgatroyd is speaking out after having an emotional reunion with her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy following his return home from Ukraine. Chmerkovskiy boarded a Finnair flight to the United States after making it to Warsaw, Poland on Tuesday as Russia continues to attack Ukraine. On Wednesday, Chmerkovsky and Murgatroyd were photographed embracing after he landed at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).The couple held hands as they exited the airport.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 42, appeared on Good Morning America Friday, March 4 and explained how he fled from Ukraine amidst Russian attacks. Before Maks got on a train from Poland and escaped his native country, he was arrested for breaking curfew. “They’re like, ‘Passport.’ I pull out my American passport. He starts speaking English with me. I was like, ‘I speak Russian.’ Then I regretted saying that. I thought maybe it was wrong,” Maks explained on GMA.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy is home safe in the United States with his wife, Peta Murgatroyd, and their 5-year-old son, Shai, but a source tells ET that the couple now worries about «having to explain to their son what has been going on in the world and about where his dad was.»On Wednesday, Maksim returned to the States after fleeing Ukraine, where he is from, amid Russia's invasion, and was reunited with his family. «Peta is so thrilled to have Maks home and back with her and their son,» the source says. «She has been going through it and has been worried sick and emotional.»Peta is «so grateful» to have her husband back home as «it was a struggle for her and she spent a handful of nights crying herself to sleep,» the source notes.«She was doing her best to hide her somberness from their son because she didn't want him to internalize this or be scared,» the source adds.The source says of the  alums, «Peta and Maks have received a ton of outpouring support from their friends and family.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 42, and Peta Murgatroyd, 35, had the sweetest airport reunion landed in the US after fleeing Ukraine. The Dancing With The Stars had an incredibly difficult time escaping as Russian attempts to invade Ukraine but he has made it out and his and Peta’s relief is evident. The two greeted each other with a passionate embrace when Maks landed. He wore a light blue long-sleeved shirt and tight black pants as he lifted Peta mid-hug as she rocked a black jumpsuit.

"Dancing with the Stars" alum Maksim Chmerkovskiy updated fans on his journey out of Ukraine as the Russian invasion continues. Chmerkovskiy made it to Warsaw, Poland on Tuesday, according to multiple Instagram posts.The professional dancer went live on his social media account to discuss the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia and the guilt he feels about leaving the country. "I felt wrong leaving," Chmerkovskiy said during the live.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy has arrived in Poland. The 42-year-old pro dancer, who has been documenting his time in Ukraine amid the current Russian invasion, shared on Monday via his Instagram Stories that he had made it onto a train to Poland. «We're heading to Warsaw (hopefully).

Maksim Chmerkovskiy has made progress as he tries to leave Ukraine.

On his way home — hopefully. Maksim Chmerkovskiy said he was arrested amid the conflict in Ukraine and is now trying to make his way back to the United States.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy is preparing to get out. The ballroom pro, who was in the country to film as a judge for the Ukrainian version of , took to Instagram on Monday with an update for viewers following him on social media amid the crisis. The 42-year-old performer disclosed that he had been arrested in Kyiv, though he didn't share why.