Russian Telegram channels claim that Ukraine has allegedly banned Israeli pilgrims from visiting Uman for Rosh Hashanah because President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was “offended” by the Israeli authorities over the absence of Independence Day greetings for Ukraine.

This was noted by analysts from the Center for Countering Disinformation.

In reality, Ukraine has not introduced any bans on pilgrimages to Uman. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein confirmed that Ukraine’s policy regarding the arrival of worshippers for the celebration of Rosh Hashanah remains unchanged.

Moreover, claims about Zelenskyy being “offended” are fabricated. Israeli President Isaac Herzog officially congratulated Zelenskyy on Ukraine’s Independence Day on behalf of Israel and its people, which refutes the alleged “reason” for the ban.

Such disinformation is aimed at portraying Ukraine as a country that supposedly violates religious freedoms or creates obstacles for international pilgrims, which could damage its reputation.

By spreading false information about a “ban” on pilgrimages by Israeli worshippers, Russia is trying to create tension in relations between Ukraine and Israel and provoke discontent within Jewish communities.