SBU and National Police urge Hasidim not to go to Uman for Rosh Hashanah because of potential provocations

At the same time, law enforcement officers have strengthened the protection of pilgrimage sites and routes of movement of believers from possible terrorist attacks. This is stated in the official appeal published by the Security Service of Ukraine.

The SBU and the National Police recommend that Hasidic pilgrims refrain from visiting Ukraine this year to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. This decision was made jointly with the Israeli law enforcement agencies and the responsible Ukrainian authorities. This is due to the high probability of rocket attacks and actions of the Russian side aimed at destabilizing interethnic relations and harming the international image of Ukraine," the statement reads.

Law enforcement agencies of Ukraine carefully check the available information that concerns possible threats to the stay of pilgrims in our country for a timely, comprehensive response. However, they cannot guarantee the complete safety of those who dare to come to a warring country.

"Now, special attention is focused on the anti-terrorist protection of pilgrimage sites and routes of movement of believers. For this purpose, counter-sabotage and anti-terrorist measures are carried out on an ongoing basis, control over illegal trafficking in weapons and dangerous substances has been strengthened, the pilgrimage area and adjacent territories are under round-the-clock video surveillance, and so on. At the same time, despite all security measures, Russia can use the arrival and mass gathering of pilgrims to organize provocations," the SBU said.

Therefore, Ukrainian law enforcement officers ask Hasidim to refrain from coming to Ukraine this year or at least strictly adhere to all recommendations that will help save lives.

"Please refrain from traveling to Ukraine. And those who still decide to make a pilgrimage must strictly adhere to the requirements of security measures: curfews, responding to air alarms, as well as following all instructions of law enforcement officials. This is the only way to minimize the existing risks for believers on this important holiday for the Jewish people," the SBU emphasized.