It takes sheer stamina for Iryna Nazimova and Veronica Habelok to pull off amazing feats of balance and agility every night.

But the real display of strength is how they got there in the first place.

"A lot of woman with child fleeing, like it was very hectic and panic around. People just escaping and children crying,” said Habelok.

The two balance artists, who have been performing together most of their lives, fled Ukraine as the Russian invasion began.

What You Need To Know

  • The Flip Circus now performing on Staten Island now features several Ukrainian Refugees including Iryna Nazimova and Veronica Habelok. 

  • Nazimova and Habelok have been performing together for more than a decade.

  • The two hail from the Odessa region of Ukraine.

  • Habelok’s father is currently fighting for the Ukrainian Army while Nazimova’s father and brother have not yet been mobilized.

Their escape included a trek to the Romanian border and eventually a flight to the U.S. where they rejoined the Flip Circus.

“It's a familiar team,” said Alexa Vazquez, a Flip Circus performer.

"We worked with them for two years already so they are family to us. So when we were hearing about the rumors and in the news about the war starting we got really worried.”

While Nazimova and Habelok are both safe and working here in the United States, their families remain in Ukraine – something that weighs heavily on them both.

"Her father and her brother. They are not mobilized yet but if they need to be mobilized, they are ready to fight. That's what scares her that if the time comes, she is afraid of losing her father and her brother,” said Nazimova.

Despite that fear, this job requires them to put on their make-up, step into the lights and momentarily forget what is happening back home.

"It is really terrifying what is happening and heartbreaking, so basically they just have to put smiles on their face and perform.  But in reality, is very hard here physically and emotionally,” said Habelok.

They said the five minutes they perform in each show provides them some relief from the sadness. 

The intense concentration followed by the gasps and cheers from the audience briefly washing away their fears.

"That is where her strength is coming. In the belief of her people,” said Naximova.

The two will continue touring with the Flip Circus – which is currently at the Staten Island Mall – until they can return to Ukraine.

Then, they hope to eventually use their profound strength to rebuild their lives back at home.