17,000 Hasidic pilgrims arrive in Ukraine despite Russian attack threat
Hasidic pilgrims in Ukraine (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
17,000 Hasidic pilgrims have already arrived in Ukraine despite the threat of Russian strikes, Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, said on Ranok.LIVE.
Currently, the main flow of people is passing through border crossings with Moldova, including Starokozache, which was attacked by Russia today.
How many Hasidic pilgrims cross the border each day
The peak arrival of organized groups has occurred over the past few days. Just days before the start of Rosh Hashanah, border guards are recording a sharp increase in the flow, from several hundred to nearly 8,000 foreigners per day.
What is Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, one of the major holidays in Judaism. In 2026, it will begin on the evening of September 11 and last until the evening of September 13.
Every year ahead of the holiday, thousands of Hasidic Jews from around the world travel to Uman to visit the grave of Tzadik Nachman. The pilgrimage to this site has continued for more than two centuries.
Meanwhile, Israeli police officers have already arrived in Uman and will guard the pilgrimage area together with their Ukrainian counterparts.
The foreign law enforcement officers, together with rescuers from the State Emergency Service and the National Guard, will patrol the city until the holiday ends.
The US Embassy urged its citizens not to travel to Uman due to the risk of strikes and the lack of bomb shelters in the city.
Diplomats also reminded them about the curfew and movement restrictions in effect in the region under martial law.
