Ukrainian circus artists find new home in Timmins fitness studio [Yahoo News] - CircusTalk

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Ukrainian circus artists find new home in Timmins fitness studio [Yahoo News]

Anastasia Parkhomenko and Andrii Balykhin’s journey to Timmins started with a four-day-drive that should have taken eight hours.

The circus arts performers packed up their car and left their home in Kyiv, Ukraine early into the Russian invasion in February 2022, but they are well aware of how precarious the situation was in those early days.

“We heard noises and went to a bomb shelter,” said Parkhomenko. “It was dusty and dark and it wasn’t safe.” “That wasn’t a place for anyone,” said Balykhin. “We decided to leave on the second day.”

They were able to get out of the city, but travelling was slow, and only allowed during the day.

“I was on my phone, trying to find places to stay for the night through friends,” said Parkhomenko about the trip to Lyiv.

Even time in their car was tense, with evidence of soldiers and violence on the side of the road.

“People would get out of their car with their hands up and with children in the car,” said Balykhin. “The Russian soldiers would kill them, they knew they were civilians.” … link to full length article at Yahoo News

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