The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience announced that over 30,000 Hasidic pilgrims intend to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah in September 2023, despite ongoing war conditions and security concerns.

More than 30,000 Hasidic pilgrims intend to come to Uman for Rosh Hashanah this September

Despite persistent recommendations to pilgrims to refrain from going to Uman as much as possible, given the war, regular large-scale attacks on our country and possible provocations by Russia, Hasidim perceive this trip as their religious duty

The arrival of such a large number of pilgrims in a country at war requires serious security, logistical, medical and other measures on the part of the state authorities

It is almost impossible to protect such a large number of people from attacks, especially those concentrated in a relatively small area

Russia may resort to provocation against Israeli Hasidic pilgrims who come to Uman every fall by launching missiles at them and blaming Ukraine.

Last year, Russians shelled Uman on the eve and after the Hasidic celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

Ukraine lacks sufficient air defense to protect all large cities, referencing the recent attack on Dnipro.