Ukraine's Top Poker Pro Eugene Katchalov Attempts to Flee Country as Russia Invades
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has hit home to those in the poker community.
Eugene Katchalov sits atop the Ukraine All Time Money List - Top 2,698. On Friday, Katchalov tweeted out how he was attempting to flee his home country.
Katchalov is attempting to head to the Polish border along with numerous Austrian envoys it appears.
Gambling911.com's own Thomas Somach has been to Ukraine on numerous occasions and expressed sadness for what is taking place there.
"I been to Yalta and Odessa and it is truly an amazing country and the people are so warm," Somach tells us. "Yalta is where Roosevelt Churchill and Stalin met after World War II you can visit the room.
"Odessa is where they filmed the movie battleship Potemkin very famous scene on the steps. I remember Odessa had casinos with old American slot machines that took quarters."
Outspoken poker pro Daniel Negreanu has been retweeting Katchalov's experiences and issued this message via Twitter:
"F*** Russia!".
One of our friends who used to hold a high position in border patrol has sent us a point by point route to avoid multiple block posts and over 10km of traffic. It’s based on real time info. I am beyond words as to how helpful everyone is being during this difficult time #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Here’s a story from one trustworthy source that gives me goosebumps. Today in one of Kiev’s neighborhoods a few “street” guys caught two Russians soldiers, unarmed them, and gave them over to Ukrainian forces.
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Really impressed by the Ukrainian spirit. #Ukraine
Driving along a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and full traffic in front and behind us. Just imagining that all these people are going through the same thing as us. Occasionally see cars going back mostly with men whom I assume weren’t allowed to cross the border. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/KTgwAkVZyj
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Heard rumors of marauders/bandits somewhere along the way dressed up as cops taking people’s cash. We’ve now split it up between all of us and in a bunch of dif places #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
just beautiful #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/cHdyLIdaFW
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Just stopped at what’s hopefully our last gas station in #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Still really long drive ahead 5-6 hours, but at least no more big cities.
My wife’s family are taking cover in the basement of their apartment building in Kharkiv. And a huge missile just landed on the asphalt 50 meters away. It didn’t explode and is literally just sticking out vertically. #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Here’s one of the Austria cars. Their group also stopped at some gas station in the middle of nowhere.
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
In general we try to fill up the gas tank as soon as we get down to around 75%. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/lpJY5fWRLB
Here’s one of the Austria cars. Their group also stopped at some gas station in the middle of nowhere.
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
In general we try to fill up the gas tank as soon as we get down to around 75%. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/lpJY5fWRLB
Both border crossings that were recommended for US citizens go through Lviv. Not an option now … #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Can someone please look into which border crossings near Poland have American representatives helping US citizens cross the border? I’ve heard rumors that some crossings have them. #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Not hungry, not thirsty and not tired even with all this driving. Amazing how your body naturally produces Cortezol and keeps you focused on the sole mission - Get to the border… #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 25, 2022
Only slept 2 hours last night. Hoping to get at least a bit more zzz’s tonight as tomo will be a loooong day/s on the road and god knows what else. At the same time won’t be easy to relax and fall asleep. #Ukraine
— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) February 24, 2022
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
