Israeli Man Returning From Ukraine's Uman Detained and Drafted Into Ukrainian Army

An Israeli man, a 49-year-old father of six from Beitar Illit and a Breslov Hasid, was detained at the Ukraine-Romania border while returning to Israel after the Rosh Hashanah holiday in Uman, Ukraine. He was subsequently drafted into the Ukrainian army, according to reports in the Haredi press. The man, born in Ukraine and an Israeli citizen who has lived in Israel for many years, was stopped during a document check. Sources familiar with the matter stated that after he spoke Ukrainian with border guards, he was separated for further inspection, during which it was determined he was subject to conscription and taken away.

Since his detention, his family has lost contact with him and does not know his whereabouts or where he has been assigned. Activists within the Breslov community are attempting to leverage connections in Ukraine and among rabbis to assist in his release, but he has not yet been located. A source close to the family mentioned they lack the funds to hire a local lawyer and fear their stay in Ukraine will be prolonged.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the family that efforts are underway to locate him. As of the time of reporting, there has been no update on his release or transfer to Israeli representation. This incident occurs against the backdrop of strict conscription laws in Ukraine since the Russian invasion, which can prevent Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60, even those with dual Israeli citizenship residing in Israel, from leaving the country and may subject them to military service.

Tens of thousands of Breslov Hasidim visited Uman for Rosh Hashanah this year, with many returning to Israel via land border crossings with Romania, Poland, and Moldova. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not yet provided a response at the time of publication.