A Ukrainian man from Stamford who went back to his home country before the war says it was a miracle he was able to get out and be reunited with his new wife.

Valeriy Los was born in Ukraine and came to Stamford in 2006. Before his mother died last year, she introduced him to a woman he fell in love with in Ukraine.

Days after his wedding in central Ukraine, Los was suddenly trying to escape war like everyone else. He was unsuccessful in 30 attempts to cross the border.

"We waited each night, 12 hours in lines. Lines were packed at the border, it was chaos, a nightmare. They put AKs in my face saying you can't leave," said Los.

Stamford attorney Stephan Seeger says he met Los at a gas station at the Polish border about a week ago.

"Val was very confused. He was recently married. His wife didn't want to leave him. He was teary eyed. I told him Valeriy, say goodbye to your wife. Get in the truck. Your options are your options," said Seeger.

Seeger says he spent hours trying to get Los, who has a green card and a Ukrainian passport, across the border.

He says it is difficult to watch people crossing the border.

"Little kids will come up to you and they'll tug at your jacket. The parents are there staring out in the middle of nowhere and they don't know what to do," said Seeger.

Seeger says Ukrainian men who are forced to stay and fight need an expert to get them out.

"People don't understand what their rights are. They have opportunities," he said.

Los and his wife have since been reunited and are staying in Italy.

"It was a miracle. I'm telling you it was a miracle," said Los.

Seeger has a list of 30 people in Ukraine he's trying to help. He says he plans to go back over to help orphaned children.