With preparations for Rosh Hashanah intensifying, Ukrainian officials are now saying that the annual pilgrimage to the kever of Rav Nachman of Breslov in Uman will not be permitted this year due to the ongoing war with Russia.

Ukrainian officials informed news outlets that the ban is rooted in severe security concerns, as the Russian invasion continues to rage across the country. Since February 2022, a blanket prohibition has been in place on large public gatherings. Despite that warning, in past years tens of thousands of mispallelim still traveled, most entering Ukraine through Moldova and continuing on to Uman to daven by Rebbe Nachman’s tziyun.

This year, Ukrainian authorities have decided not to allow the trip at all, citing the heightened risks posed by ongoing missile strikes and instability in the region.

Reports indicate that Kyiv has grown frustrated with Israel’s limited role in supporting Ukraine during the war. Ukrainian officials have demanded that Israel provide both financial aid and an official police presence in Uman to secure the massive crowd, should the pilgrimage go ahead.

Meanwhile, Moldova — the key gateway for most travelers — has issued its own list of conditions. Among them: Israel must cover the cost of a temporary terminal for charter flights, estimated at eight million shekels, fund police escorts for the convoys, and supply additional security equipment. Without this funding, Moldovan officials say they will not allow the traffic of tens of thousands of Yidden through their airports and roads.

According to reports, Israel has been given until September 3 to transfer the funds demanded by the Moldovan government. If not, even if Ukraine were to reconsider, the route to Rosh Hashana in Uman would remain blocked.

A senior Ukrainian official told reporter Barak Ravid that “at this stage, the arrival of visitors to Uman will not be possible this year due to security considerations related to the ongoing war with Russia.”

The report comes a day after Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara sent a letter ordering the government to enforce arrests against Breslover “draft-dodgers” who attempt to leave the country to travel to Uman, claiming that it is “illegal” for the government to formulate any plan to interfere with the enforcement of arrests.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)