PN Podcast Special Edition: Eugene Katchalov on Escaping Ukraine Amid Russian Invasion

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PR & Media Manager
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Hosts:
Chad Holloway @ChadAHolloway
Guests:
Eugene Katchalov

In the latest PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway chats with Eugene Katchalov, Ukraine's all-time money leader, about his harrowing escape from Kyiv as Russia invaded. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and World Poker Tour (WPT) champ documented his experience in real-time via Twitter, which gave his followers a glimpse into civilian life during war.

"Feels surreal, like being inside of a war movie. Don��t know anyone who expected it to get this bad," Katchalov tweeted.

He also informed his Twitter followers that he found a few hotel rooms in a local village and "will likely spend at least a few days" there. Later in the day, he decided to change up his plans and head toward the border, which he crossed after being stuck in "massive traffic and hoping there will be gas to fill up along the way."

Katchalov spoke to PokerNews about what he and his wife experienced, as well as what they're doing now to help family, friends, and other refugees looking to get out of Ukraine.

Katchalov, who retired from poker in 2018 to switch to E-Sports, is Ukraine's all-time winningest tournament player with $9.2 million in cashes while Yevgeniy Timoshenko is in second place with just over $7.8 million.

While this is a poker podcast, the topic discussed is much bigger than the game.

Time Stamps

TimeTopic
00:24Welcome to the PokerNews Podcast
01:00Eugene Katchalov joins the show
01:44When did you decide to flee Kyiv?
03:15Preparing for the worst
04:40It��s go time
05:50Panic in the streets
06:40Hitting traffic
08:15Decision to head to the border
10:40Trying to syphon gasoline
11:42Did your poker status put you in jeopardy?
13:08What inspired you to document the experience?
14:25Was the response from the community helpful?
15:30Seeing a massive explosion
16:17Eugene��s thoughts on Ukraine/Russia tension
18:06Thoughts on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
19:51Any fear of being conscripted?
21:00Wife��s business near missile strike
22:10International Rescue Committee
23:35The poker community��s support can do a lot of good
24:16Will you return to the United States?
26:00Why now is a critical time
27:50How you can help

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show �� tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Sarah Herring and Chad Holloway on Twitter.

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here!

Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here!

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PR & Media Manager

PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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