“Putin is a d*ckhead” and “f*ggot”: On Rosh Hashanah in Uman, Hasidic pilgrims shared their opinion about Putin in a video

In Uman, Cherkasy region, the arrival of young Hasidim continues, who have come to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. The leading local Telegram channel “Uman News” on September 19, 2025, published a video in which a couple of pilgrims express their opinion about the Russian president Putin using obscene language “Putin is a d*ckhead” and “Putin is a f*ggot,” proclaiming “Glory to Ukraine!”

NAnews‼️: 🇺🇦🇮🇱 Bnei Brak rules in Uman .. September 19, 2025 pic.twitter.com/9mPcCil0u3

— NAnews – Nikk.Agency Israel Ukraine News (@AgencyNikk) September 19, 2025

Preparation of Uman for the Holiday

Every year, tens of thousands of Hasidim visit Uman to honor the memory of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. This year, the Jewish New Year falls on September 22. It is expected that in 2025 about 50,000 pilgrims will come to the city. Currently, about 20,000 people have already registered among the guests, who will celebrate the 5775th Jewish New Year from September 24 to 26.

The city administration is taking measures to prevent unexpected situations given the large number of people. Sanitary services are checking the quality of drinking water and the state of the environment, and medical institutions are preparing for possible calls.

Disinfection and deratization have been carried out over an area of more than 10,000 m² on the eve of the holiday.

This year, a new tourist tax payment system has been implemented in Uman, which started functioning on September 15. It will ensure the inflow of funds into the city budget not only during the celebration period but throughout the year.

State of Cleanliness on the City Streets

Videos have been posted on social networks, allegedly from a bus, showing a lot of garbage accompanying the pilgrims. Television reports also show streets littered with waste, with the date indicated as September 17.

The reaction to the spread of such footage was a video by the first deputy mayor of Uman, Oleg Hanich, refuting the information about the poor state of cleanliness. He assured that municipal services are actively working on maintaining order, noting that the old photos posted online date back to 2021.

Hanich also emphasized that in wartime conditions, visiting the city may not be safe, but Uman is always hospitably open to guests in peacetime.

Israeli Police Officers in Uman

Ukrainian police are joined by their colleagues from Israel to maintain order during the celebration. In the Cherkasy region, it was reported that Israeli police officers underwent briefing under the leadership of Serhiy Kovalenko, deputy head of the National Police, and will remain in Uman until the end of the festivities.

Checkpoints and video surveillance cameras have been installed at mass events to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Concerns of Local Residents

As reported by the public “Uman News,” restrictions have been imposed on the “New Uman” neighborhood, and residents cannot freely move to their homes, being forced to use detour routes. The police refer to order No. 10 of the Uman District Military Administration, in effect from September 15 to 30, which entrenches the specified restrictions.

For example, in the first year of the war, 23,000 pilgrims arrived in Uman for the celebration, despite everything that was happening.