A resident of Kirovograd region was reported on suspicion for calls to ban Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman

In Kirovohrad Region, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has filed a suspicion against a man accused of publishing anti-Semitic materials on social networks. In addition to inciting ethnic and religious hatred, he is also charged with calls to evade mobilization.

As reported by the publication Suspilne Kropivnitsky with reference to the press Secretary of the regional Department of the SBU Yulia Tkach, the incident occurred in the town of Pomoshnaya Novoukrainsky district. It was established that the suspect distributed posts in social networks, in which he humiliated people of Jewish nationality and called for banning the mass pilgrimage of Hasidim to Ukraine during Rosh Hashanah.

In addition, in his publications, the man urged his audience to evade conscription. During a search at his residence, smartphones and computer equipment containing evidence of illegal activities were seized.

According to the conclusions of the expert examination, the publications of the defendant contain signs of inciting ethnic and religious hatred, humiliation of honor and dignity of people of Jewish nationality, as well as insulting the religious feelings of citizens. The man is suspected under part 1 of article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Violation of equal rights of citizens on the basis of their race, nationality or religious beliefs).

The sanction of the article provides punishment in the form of a fine from 3400 to 8500 hryvnia, restriction of freedom for up to five years or imprisonment for up to three years. It is noted that in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until his guilt is legally proven and established by a guilty verdict of the court.

Recall, the Ukrainian city of Uman has become a center of mass pilgrimage: to celebrate the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah in late September 2025 arrived almost 40 thousand Hasidim, the vast majority of whom are foreigners. To ensure public order and security, significant forces of the National Police of Ukraine were deployed, assisted by Israeli law enforcement officers.