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US Warns Citizens Against Pilgrimage To Ukraine Over Russian Strikes, Conscription Risk
US Warns Citizens Against Pilgrimage To Ukraine Over Russian Strikes, Conscription Risk
INSECURITY
The Nigerian Record
9/4/20262 min read
The United States government has warned its citizens against travelling to Uman, Ukraine, for the annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to the grave of Hasidic Jewish leader Rebbe Nachman, citing the risk of Russian airstrikes, inadequate bomb shelters and restrictions imposed under Ukraine's wartime laws.
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv issued the security alert on Thursday, September 3, advising American citizens not to travel to Uman for the pilgrimage.
The warning is consistent with the U.S. Department of State's existing Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Ukraine.
The annual pilgrimage attracts tens of thousands of Hasidic Jewish worshippers from Israel, the United States and other countries to Uman to mark Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
According to the embassy, Russian airstrikes since the beginning of the war have repeatedly targeted civilian buildings and critical infrastructure across Ukraine, including in Uman.
The US government said such attacks had hit homes and places of worship and could occur without warning.
"Local authorities have advised that Uman does not have enough air raid shelters to accommodate all anticipated travelers to the pilgrimage," the embassy said.
The shortage of protected spaces is a major concern as large numbers of international visitors are expected to converge on the city during the religious observance.
The embassy also warned that pilgrims would be subject to Ukraine's wartime restrictions.
Ukraine remains under martial law, with curfews and movement restrictions affecting residents and visitors.
In Uman, the current curfew runs from midnight to 4am.
The US Embassy urged anyone travelling despite the warning to familiarise themselves with the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other protected space and to seek immediate shelter whenever an air alert is issued.
It also instructed travellers to follow the orders of Ukrainian authorities.
Weapons and fireworks are prohibited during the pilgrimage, while the embassy warned that some substances prohibited in Ukraine may be legally available in the United States.
The embassy issued a separate warning for US-Ukrainian dual nationals, particularly men of military-service age.
It said Ukraine has eliminated its previous "residence abroad" exception that allowed certain Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 to leave the country.
As a result, U.S.-Ukrainian male dual nationals — including those who ordinarily live in the United States — may be unable to leave Ukraine after entering the country and could be subject to conscription.
The embassy urged travellers who are uncertain about whether they hold Ukrainian citizenship to consult Ukrainian authorities before travelling.
The warning adds a potentially serious complication for American pilgrims of Ukrainian descent who may possess Ukrainian citizenship in addition to US nationality.
The US mission stressed that its warning against travelling to Uman should be viewed within the broader security situation in Ukraine.
The State Department's Ukraine travel advisory remains at its highest warning level: Level 4, Do Not Travel.
The embassy said the recommendation against the pilgrimage was based on the continuing threat posed by the war, the possibility of air attacks and the city's limited capacity to protect the expected influx of visitors.
Despite the warning, those who choose to travel were advised to take precautions, including monitoring air alerts, immediately moving to protected areas during attacks and complying with local authorities.
The US government also reminded its citizens that its ability to assist Americans during a crisis in Ukraine may be limited.
The warning comes as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues into another year, with Russian missile and drone strikes regularly targeting locations across Ukraine and Ukrainian forces increasingly carrying out long-range attacks against targets inside Russia.