‘Let me be seen as a traitor by many, but my son will grow up with his dad’: an actor from ‘Kvartal 95’ fled to the USA

34-year-old actor from the “Kvartal 95” studio, Ruslan Khanumak, has left Ukraine and settled in the United States under unknown circumstances.

He admitted this on his Instagram account.

The actor posted a video where he reunites with his 6-year-old son Arthur, who lives with his mother Alina Shamanska in Los Angeles.

“For many months I haven’t seen you. I lived each day waiting for this moment. Every night I visualized these scenes. Lifting you above myself… Despite reputation. Despite work. Despite everything, I am looking at you now, not through a screen. No climate, palm trees, education, living conditions, or even your mom’s love and care can replace a childhood with a father… Let me be seen as a traitor by many, but my son will grow up with his daddy. We are together again,” said the caption.

Khanumak added that he was disabling comments because “those who didn’t like me will continue not to like me, and those who respected me, you are the best + I don’t read them.”

After the media and social media reactions, Khanumak posted on Instagram asserting that he left Ukraine legally, as he was declared unfit for military service due to asthma. He showed a document stating that he has a deferment from mobilization until November 3, 2024.

According to the Ministry of Defense classification, only severe asthma grants exemption from mobilization. Moderate asthma is not a cause for exemption. Severe bronchial asthma is characterized by daily asthma attacks and significant impairment of respiratory function.

At the start of the war, Khanumak lived in the US with Shamanska and their son but then returned to Ukraine. Shortly after, the couple announced their separation. In June, they officially divorced.

Khanumak is a director, producer, actor, TV host, and screenwriter. He was the captain of the “Zainka” team, which became the runner-up in the “League of Laughter,” and he won the “Make the Comedian Laugh” show.

Recently, the artistic director of “Kvartal 95,” Yevhen Koshevoy, stated that two actors from the studio supposedly serve in the National Guard but still participate in concerts. These actors are Oleksandr Pikalov and Volodymyr Martynets.

Previously, Koshevoy explained why he does not intend to go to the front lines, citing his lack of military experience and proper training.