Thousands of Chasidic Jews have flocked to the city of Uman in Ukraine, despite grave warnings from Ukrainian and Israeli officials and the threat of Iranian drones.
Every year, thousands of Strictly Orthodox Jews make a pilgrimage to Ukraine to visit the site of the grave of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. The city makes elaborate preparations for the thousands of visitors, erecting the so-called "Rosh Hashanah Kibbutz" to accommodate the largely Israeli visitors.
Hasidic in Uman
An Orthodox Jewish pilgrim passes an officer (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)
The pilgrimage, which started in 1811, after the death of the Rebbe has been a regular fixture in the Ukrainian calendar, sometimes seeing up to 30,000 pilgrims.
However, last month, Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Kornyinchuk warned against the ritual, saying: “Rosh Hashanah is coming, and no matter what we say, Orthodox Jews will try to get to Uman again. We understand your willingness to go to Uman and favour your support for Ukraine, but this is not the right time. We cannot guarantee your security.”
Hasidic in Uman
Hasidic man with security officials (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid also warned Israeli citizens last month of the “life-threatening danger” about travelling to Uman following a conversation with President Zelensky.
Chasidic pilgrims in Uman
A Chasidic pilgrim in Uman, with a Ukrainian security man looking on (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
One warning put out by the U.S. embassy in Warsaw, Poland, urged people travelling to Uman, despite all of the warnings, to draft a will before going.
Hasidic in Uman
A pilgrim gets his hair cut (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Last week an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Israeli public television that Russia had intentions to attack visitors in Uman, a claim Russia denies.
Hasidic in Uman
Two armed security officials, under a crucifix, guard the Tomb of Breslov (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)
Media outlets in Ukraine reported on Tuesday that Russian forces deliberately launched at least 10 Iranian suicide drones over the city of Uman with the aim of harming Israelis staying there.
Ukrainian air defence forces reportedly shot down over 10 Shahad-136 model drones, some of which were launched from the Crimean Peninsula and aimed at Uman.
Hasidic in Uman
A group of worshippers outside the Tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
In the weeks leading up to Jewish New Year, Ukrainian military forces increased security checks around Uman and enforced a strict curfew, as well as restricting photographs being taken of military personnel.
Hasidic in Uman
Armed Ukrainian security official escorts Jewish pilgrims during the Uman pilgrimage in 2022 (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Hasidic in Uman
Jewish pilgrims look on as armed security official stands under crucifix (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)
Some pilgrims have already been reprimanded for taking photos of a Ukrainian military checkpoint in Ternopil, Western Ukraine, while others have reportedly been stopped in Uman for not obeying the strict curfew.
Hasidic in Uman
A Jewish pilgrim walks past a crucifix (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Due to Ukrainian airspace being closed to commercial traffic, pilgrims arrived in Uman this year by car or train via Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia or Poland.
Many arrived well in advance of the High Holy Days to ensure they would be in Uman for Rosh Hashanah regardless of escalation between Ukraine and Russia.
Hasidic in Uman
Orthodox Jewish pilgrims perform tashlikh, a Jewish atonement ritual, at the bank of a lake formed by the Umanka River (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)
Uman has been struck multiple times since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis. Two separate missiles attacks last month resulted in one death and numerous others wounded.
