US urges citizens to avoid travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah
The US State Department has recommended that American citizens not travel to Uman in the Cherkasy region during the Rosh Hashanah celebrations and the annual Hasidic pilgrimage to the tomb of Rabbi Nachman. Washington warns of the threat of Russian strikes and a shortage of shelters for the expected number of pilgrims.
The US Embassy in Ukraine reported this on September 3.
In 2026, the Rosh Hashanah celebration falls on September 11–13. Traditionally, tens of thousands of Hasidim from Israel, the United States, and other countries come to Uman during this period.
American diplomats emphasized that the State Department's maximum, level four travel advisory – Level 4: Do Not Travel – remains in effect for the entire territory of Ukraine.
"The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel to Uman during the annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage," the message says.
US warns of Russian strikes
One of the main reasons for the recommendation remains Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
The embassy reminded that since the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have been striking civilian buildings and critical infrastructure throughout the country, including Uman.
The American side notes that residential buildings and religious sites have come under Russian strikes, and attacks can occur with virtually no prior warning.
In the State Department's travel advisory updated on August 28, Ukraine as a whole remains at the fourth, highest level of danger. The US advises its citizens to refrain from traveling to the country due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Even regions far from the front line are subject to missile and drone attacks, the State Department stresses.
Uman may not have enough shelters
The American embassy cites the capacity of the city's infrastructure as a separate problem during the mass pilgrimage.
According to local authorities, the shelters available in Uman are insufficient to accommodate all the pilgrims expected to arrive for Rosh Hashanah simultaneously.
US citizens were also warned that martial law remains in effect in Ukraine. Pilgrims will be subject to curfews, movement restrictions, and other active security measures.
When an air raid alert is announced, Americans are advised to immediately proceed to the nearest shelter and follow the instructions of Ukrainian authorities.
The US Embassy also warns that the ability to provide consular assistance outside Kyiv is limited. Employees of the American diplomatic mission are themselves subject to travel restrictions within Ukraine due to the security situation.
Ukraine also urged pilgrims not to travel to Uman
Earlier, Ukrainian authorities also recommended that foreign pilgrims refrain from traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah in 2026.
Kyiv explained this by the ongoing Russian aggression and the inability to guarantee adequate security for a large number of foreign citizens during massive missile and drone attacks.
Despite the warnings, Uman annually remains one of the main destinations of religious pilgrimage for followers of Breslov Hasidism. Here is the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who died in 1810 and bequeathed to his followers to come to him on Rosh Hashanah.
Based on materials from: US Embassy in Ukraine, US State Department
