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Ukraine's most successful poker player, Eugene Katchalov, has been providing updates on his attempts to flee Ukraine following this week's invasion by Russia. As of mid-afternoon Saturday, Katchalov has indicated he is near the Polish border and that country is now allowing walk-ins.
From what I understand traffic is nuts at every border crossing but Poland has opened theirs up to walkins. Driving in may take days, walking is likely around 30km now but at least faster. Lots of people asking me in private so hope this is useful. #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022
While the Ukraine has ordered all males 18 to 60 to remain in the country and fight, Katchalov is a US citizen living between Las Vegas and New York City. He is also attempting to get his family to safety.
It should be noted that there is nothing that prevents a US Citizen to fight in a foreign civil war, as long as the foreign party the US Citizen supports is not an enemy of the USA. It is not immediately known if Katchalov will remain in the Ukraine once he gets his family to safety.
Everything happened so quickly. It was just two days ago that Katchalov woke up in Kiev realizing it was time to flee.
Hey guys, I’m in Kiev, #Ukraine. Woke up to the sound of a distant explosion and decided to leave the city with my wife.Gathering in a small village with some friends to decide on next steps.
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 24, 2022
Anyone know how to get in touch with the US embassy to advice on suggested next steps?
Katchalov has posted in real time his attempts to get to one of the borders with his family in tow, running into heavy traffic along the way. His wife provided a map of the route they have taken thus far.
It was in Ukrainian so my wife drew a zoomed in and zoomed out version below. https://t.co/HQ59d2gkM2 pic.twitter.com/zUAqf4NHPn
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022
The poker pro has also been providing his followers with news updates from the country, including security footage of a missile hitting an apartment complex in Kiev during the early morning hours, both from the outside and inside one of the apartments.
Apartment complex in Ukraine with video in next tweet recorded from inside the apartment #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/ULmAdEw0lY
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022
Despite the harrowing experience, Katchalov reassured his followers and the poker community that he and his family had not met with any nefarious individuals along the way.
In the end, we didn’t encounter any bandits/marauders and in fact, all of the security we met in dif block posts on our way here were super friendly and inquiring about the situation in Kharkiv and Kyiv. Seems like everyone just came together in genuine support
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 26, 2022
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
