Breslov Hasid With Israeli Citizenship Drafted Into Ukrainian Army

Yonatan Karlinsky, a 49-year-old Breslov Hasid from Beitar Illit, who holds Israeli citizenship and was born in Ukraine, was detained by the Ukrainian military at the Ukraine-Romania border ten days ago while returning from Uman. It was discovered that he is subject to conscription into the Ukrainian army. He has been assigned as a doctor to a military unit in the Kharkiv region, in the northeast of the country, rather than a frontline position.

The Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine (FJCU) has been providing Karlinsky with kosher food and religious items, including prayer books and the "Four Species" for Sukkot. Initially, Karlinsky was held in a deserters' detention camp in Odesa. The Ukrainian military determined that claims he was exempt from service as a father of three or more children were incorrect, as he has only one daughter.

According to the FJCU, attempts to secure Karlinsky's release were unsuccessful due to his medical expertise and the Ukrainian army's significant need for medical personnel. The military also noted his prior service in the Ukrainian army before he became religiously observant and moved to Israel.

The FJCU, in cooperation with Chabad emissaries in Odesa, including Rabbi Schneur Vygler and Rabbi Avraham Wolff, has been ensuring Karlinsky receives necessary provisions. The organization has also distributed over 1,000 holiday kits to Jewish soldiers in various bases and camps on the front lines in Ukraine.