Today, September 18, the number of Hasidic pilgrims wishing to enter the country on the border between Ukraine and Belarus has decreased, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) press service reports.
"Opposite the border checkpoint Novi Yarylovychi on the border of Ukraine with Belarus, there is a decrease in the number of foreigners staying in the territory of the neighboring country to the line of the state border of Ukraine," the statement informs.
It is reported that about 600 people may be in front of the Novi Yarylovychi checkpoint. According to the Ukrainian side, the pilgrims are gradually returning to Belarus.
Since September 14, about a thousand Hasidic pilgrims, despite restrictions on entry for foreigners, have tried to enter Ukraine and celebrate the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah in Uman.
Ukraine has strengthened the protection of the northern border the day before, and the government has decided to close the checkpoint Novi Yarylovychi in the Chernihiv region. At the same time, in addition to the Chernihiv region, officers of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine observe Hasidic groups in front of the Dolsk checkpoint in the Volyn region.
As it was reported earlier, this year's Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah falls on September 18-20. Its celebration in Uman is connected with the fact that Nachman is buried in the city, and his grave is one of the most revered shrines and a place of pilgrimage.