'DWTS' Pros Peta Murgatroyd And Husband Maks Plead For Safety In Ukraine

Last week, Dancing With the Stars pro Peta Murgatroyd pleaded with her followers to pray for her husband, fellow DWTS alum Maks Chmerkovskiy, as he is currently stuck in Ukraine and trying to safely evacuate. Today, the wife and mama says she’s “going through hell,” but is grateful for the kindness of neighbors.

“Please pray for my husband Maks,” Peta wrote last week. “I don’t usually ask these things from my social media network, however today is extremely hard and the next few will be even harder.”

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A post shared by Peta Murgatroyd (@petamurgatroyd)

Chmerkovskiy, who spent years as a fan-favorite dancing pro on the US version of DWTS, is currently a judge for Dancing With The Stars Ukraine and has been residing in his home country for the duration of his work. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, Chmerkovskiy has also been keeping fans updated on his status via social media.

On Monday, Chmerkovskiy shared that he’d briefly been arrested in Ukraine, but assured followers that everything is “all good” now. He also shared that he’s going to start making his way out of the country as soon as possible.

“I’m going to try and make my way out. I’m going to start making my way towards the border,” he explained. “I have options. Just a little nervous but I think it’s going to be alright. I know it’s going to be okay.”

The couple has a five-year-old son together, Shai, and got married in 2017. In her most recent Instagram post, Peta Murgatroyd acknowledges the kindness she received from strangers amid this terrifying time for her family.

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A post shared by Peta Murgatroyd (@petamurgatroyd)

“Although I’m going through hell right now and I want it all to end…there is light that shines through the darkness,” she writes in the caption of a photo of the cookies she received. “Strangers baked me cookies and proudly brought them to my door. They stood there with smiles so wide. Let me repeat….strangers, whom I don’t talk to thought that they should get in their kitchen and bake me cookies.”

If you’ve ever been through your own personal version of hell (and I hope you haven’t, but most of us have), then you already know how overwhelming it is when people show up for you in your time of need. Being reminded that people care—even total strangers— and want to show you love when you need it most is truly a balm when your life feels like an open wound.

“I welled up. They said ‘Anything you need, we are here for you,'” she shares. “I’m a cancer by zodiac. I’m already emotional and these acts of kindness push me over the edge.”

Murgatroyd ended her post by thanking everyone who has reached out with messages and calls just to tell her that they’re praying for her as she and her son, Shai, wait for news about their husband and daddy.

“It’s beyond and it means the world to me ❤️🙏🏻.”

Are you looking for ways to help amid the Ukraine crisis? You can learn more here, mama.