Ukraine News Report: Russia Launches Iranian Drones at Uman, Where Orthodox Jews Gather for Rosh HaShanah
Edited by: TJVNews.com
A Ukrainian news report said that Russian forces intentionally launched Iranian Shahad-136 kamikaze drones at Uman in an attempt to harm Jews gathered there for Rosh Hashanah, as was reported by the Yeshiva World News web site.
According to the report, the Ukrainian armed forces shot down over ten drones in southern Ukraine, some of which were directed at Uman. The town of Uman in Ukraine is the annual gathering place of Hassidic Jews from around the world as they celebrate Rosh HaShanah there in prayer. The late Rabbi Nachman of Uman is a central figure in the Breslov Hassidic group.
The Jerusalem Post reported that some of the Iranian drones were launched from the territory of the Crimean Peninsula and aimed at Uman. According to the assessment, Russia wanted to focus on hasidic religious sites with a large audience, the JPost reported.
YWN also reported that a member of the Ukrainian security services told a Ukrainian media outlet known as the Babel news web site that “planned terrorist operations against Israeli citizens are one of the conditions for Iranʼs transfer of drones to Russia. As you know, this is not the first example of cooperation between the two terrorist states.”
The JPost reported that the Ukrainian security services member added that, “As we know, this is not the first example of cooperation between the two countries. Not long ago, a Ukrainian civilian plane was shot down in Iran, probably by mistake. But you can see the interests of the Kremlin behind this case.”
On Monday, it was reported that three Iranian suicide drones were shot down by the Ukrainian air defense near the city of Odessa, according to the JPost. The drone deal between Iran and Russia led to a deterioration in relations between Tehran and Kyiv, and earlier this week, Ukraine announced that it would cut ties with Iran, claiming that “Tehran supplies the Russian army with drones”, a move that President Volodymyr Zelensky called “collaboration with evil”.
The site that published the report is considered a reliable Ukrainian site and the information in the report is attributed to “sources in the Ukrainian security services,” as was reported by Yeshiva World News. The site specifically states that Ukraine has information according to which the Iranians set two conditions for Russia when selling the drones – one of them being attacking Uman. The second condition was not specified.
The JPost also reported that last month, the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a severe warning ahead of the traditional Rosh Hashanah events in Uman. “Russia’s ongoing military aggression makes it impossible to guarantee the safety of foreign citizens on the territory of Ukraine,” it said.
In the published message, there was a clear call for worshippers to avoid the pilgrimage, as was reported by the JPost. Along with this call, the Ministry also referred to those who will still decide to observe the annual tradition: “If you decide to visit Uman contrary to these warnings, you should note that Ukraine has instituted martial law in the country,” read the warning.
At the same time, Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Kornyinchuk, said in an interview with the Jerusalem Post last month that “Rosh Hashanah is coming, and no matter what we say, Orthodox Jews will try to get to Uman again.”
“We understand your willingness to go to Uman and favor your support for Ukraine, but this is not the right time. We cannot guarantee your security.”
In yet another Russia-Ukraine conflict development, the Associated Press reported on Monday that the Polish city of Krakow cancelled gigs by Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters because of his sympathetic stance toward Russia in its war against Ukraine, a local councilman said, inviting the singer to visit Ukraine with him to see the extent of Russian crimes.
The AP also reported that Councilman Lukasz Wantuch said the city owns the arena where two of Waters’ concerts had been scheduled for April before being canceled. He said the city would not tolerate them being used for an artist spreading ideas objectionable to most people in Poland. And he said Waters was free to perform in a private venue if he wishes.
“He doesn’t realize the truth,” Wantuch told The Associated Press. “He doesn’t understand what is going on in Ukraine.”
Polish media on Saturday had reported that the gigs were canceled by Waters’ management in reaction to the outcry over his views, as was reported by the AP. Waters denied that on Sunday and Wantuch confirmed that Krakow and the venue made the decision to cancel the concerts. (Additional reporting by: Fern Sidman)
