Ukrainian Army Drafts Israeli Man Returning From Ukraine Border

An Israeli man, originally from Ukraine and now residing in Beitar Illit, was drafted into the Ukrainian army after being detained at a border crossing while returning to Israel. The 49-year-old, who had returned to religious observance and lived in Israel for many years, was speaking Ukrainian with soldiers at the Ukraine-Romania border when they discovered he was subject to conscription. He was immediately taken for military service, and contact with him has since been lost, causing deep distress to his family in Israel. Efforts by community leaders to secure his release have so far been unsuccessful.

This incident is part of a series of unusual legal and security issues faced by Breslov Hasidim returning from Uman, Ukraine, after the Rosh Hashanah holiday. In Moldova, a Hasid was detained for 40 days after hitting and seriously injuring a local pedestrian. Another Hasid was arrested in Chisinau, Moldova, with fake passports, and is currently barred from leaving the country pending legal proceedings.

In Cyprus, a Breslov Hasid was detained upon arrival due to a previous incident where a suitcase filled with khat, a stimulant plant, was sent to the island in his name, though he did not board the flight himself. The man was flagged in border control systems, leading to his arrest when he attempted to enter the country. Over 65,000 people traveled to Uman for Rosh Hashanah this year, and the return journeys have been marked by these multiple detentions and legal troubles across Europe.