The U.S. State Department has advised American citizens to avoid traveling to Uman, Ukraine, for the Jewish New Year pilgrimage, citing significant safety risks due to the ongoing war.
In a statement posted on the U.S. Embassy's website in Kyiv, the department emphasized, "This recommendation is to avoid all travel to Ukraine."
The embassy highlighted that Uman has been the target of multiple Russian missile attacks since the war began, with airstrikes frequently hitting civilian structures, including houses of worship, with little or no warning.
"Local authorities have advised that Uman does not have sufficient air raid shelters to accommodate the expected number of pilgrims," the statement added. Additionally, Ukraine remains under martial law, imposing curfews and movement restrictions that could impact those traveling to Uman.
The warning also cautioned American men aged 18 to 60 who hold Ukrainian citizenship that they may be barred from leaving Ukraine if they enter the country. "There is an extremely high risk U.S. citizens will not be allowed to depart, even with a U.S. passport," the statement warned.