Wife Of Brittney Griner Speaks Out After WNBA Star's Arrest In Russia

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!

Ukraine across air, land, and sea which has decimated the country in recent weeks. Russian authorities allege that Griner was carrying vape capsules filled with hashish when she was stopped at Sheremetyevo International Airport. She will remain in custody until at least 19 May after investigators were granted an extension.

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.

Brittney Griner (Photo by Lorie Shaull)

Out American basketball player, Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star was arrested in Moscow last month. There were fears that Russia, which faces sanctions for invading Ukraine last month, could use Griner as a hostage. The Russian Federal Customs Service have released this video in which airport security are seen going through the luggage of a passenger identified as Brittney Griner.

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.

Brittney Griner has been a basketball phenom for more than a decade, but she’s currently in the spotlight for a very different reason.

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.

Britney Griner was arrested in Russia this week.According to reports from The New York Times, the Phoenix Mercury player was detained after customs officials detected cannabis oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow.USA Basketball, the governing body for sport in the United States, said in a statement it is “aware of and closely monitoring the legal situation facing Brittney Griner in Russia.”A post shared by B (@brittneyyevettegriner)“Brittney has always handled herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball and her safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns,” they continued.The WNBA echoed that sentiment, saying Griner has its “full support” and going on to say that its main priority is “her swift and safe return to the United States.”So, what is a WNBA star doing in Russia, especially in a time like this? Get to know more about the baller below.Meet Carol ‘Mickie’ Marsh, the wife who stood by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s side his whole careerTristan Thompson gets teased with “Khloé!” chants during Bulls game in MiamiGet to know Trinity Rodman’s mother Michelle Moyer, Dennis Rodman’s ex-wifeGriner currently plays for the Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg. She has been playing with the team every year since 2015, during the WNBA offseason.

WNBA superstar Brittney Griner has been arrested and detained in Russia on drug charges.

Happy to be together! Peta Murgatroyd is grateful to be reunited with her husband, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, after he was stuck in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

WNBA player Brittney Griner has reportedly been detained in Russia.

W.N.B.A. superstar Brittney Griner has reportedly been detained in Russia on drug charges. The two-time Olympic gold medalist, 31, was arrested at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow after Russian custom officials found marijuana vape cartridges in her luggage, according to the New York Times. A statement released by the Customs Service says a criminal case has been opened into the “large-scale transportation of drugs,” which can result in a sentence of 5-10 years in prison if a conviction is upheld.

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.

A long-awaited reunion. Maks Chmerkovskiy was greeted by wife Peta Murgatroyd upon his return to Los Angeles after fleeing Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion.