NJ's Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Of 'Dancing With The Stars,' Leaving Ukraine

KYIV, UKRAINE — Dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a New Jersey resident and business owner, said is trying to leave his native Ukraine amid the invasion by Russian troops.

As of Monday evening European time, Chmerkovskiy said he was on a train to Poland and described sweaty, cramped conditions.

The 42-year-old is best known to Americans for his work as a dancer and choreographer on "Dancing with the Stars." Chmerkovskiy lives in Fort Lee when he is in the U.S. His family moved to the United States in the 1990s.

Chmerkovskiy has been posting videos from Kyiv since last week, sharing what is happening as well as his personal feelings. He told followers Monday that he would begin his journey to leave Ukraine.

"I'm going to try to start getting close to the border," he said. "I have options. My options are better than most peoples', unfortunately."

He told fans and followers he would keep them posted.

"Don't panic if I kind of disappear for a minute," he said. "I'm going to do my best in making sure that I keep you updated."

Chmerkovskiy said Monday night that it was traumatizing trying to get on the train.

"Walkways are packed," he wrote. "People everywhere. It's sweaty and claustrophobic."

He said he was sitting near four adults and seven children.

"What finally broke me is when I was watching an eight-ish year old boy, hysterically crying and not wanting to let go of his father," Chmerkovskiy wrote. "Verbatim: 'if you stay I want to stay too because if they kill you I won't be able to help."

On Sunday, he shared a video expressing his pain in seeing his country torn apart.

"What Ukranians are doing, it makes me so proud," Chmerkovskiy said.

He is asking people to use their platforms to raise awareness.

"This is not about me," he said. "I just everybody to do something. Anything. It's very hard and I understand. If you're not in the situation, you don't see it. You make a post, you go about your day. I'm not asking for anything else. Just a post."

Chmerkovskiy thanked "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel, who has been fundraising for Ukraine with her "Bstrong" foundation.

Chmerkovskiy's company, Dance With Me, has studios across the United States including in Fort Lee.