Israeli Breslov Hasid Detained by Ukraine for Military Draft

An Israeli man, 49-year-old Yoni Karlinsky, a resident of Beitar Illit and a Breslov Hasid, was detained by the Ukrainian army ten days ago at the Ukraine-Romania border and is currently held pending conscription as a military doctor. The Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine reported the development on Thursday.

Karlinsky, originally from Ukraine and holding Israeli citizenship, was traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. During a document check at the border, it was discovered he was subject to conscription into the Ukrainian army. He was arrested by the Ukrainian military police, and contact with him has been lost since.

Ukrainian military investigations reportedly found that claims he was exempt from service due to having six children were false, as he has only one daughter. About a week ago, military authorities informed the Federation of Jewish Communities that Karlinsky was being held in a deserters' detention facility in Odessa. With the assistance of Chabad emissaries in Odessa and the city's chief rabbi, kosher food was provided to Karlinsky, and his rights were reviewed.

According to a Jewish source in the region, efforts are underway to release Karlinsky from his military obligation. However, due to his medical knowledge and the Ukrainian army's growing need for medical personnel, his release is considered unlikely.