Joining Ukraine and its allies, Israel denounced Kremlin-initiated referendums in occupied regions in Ukraine on merging with Russia. The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that Jerusalem “recognizes the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and will not recognize the results of the referendums in its eastern districts.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Ukraine's ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, told public broadcaster KAN today that his country intercepted at least 10 Iran-made UAVs that targeted the city of Uman. Korniychuk claimed that Russia was targeting Uman with the purpose of hitting Israeli pilgrims staying in the city for the Jewish New Year. "Ukrainian security services were ready and operated well. Israelis need not leave Uman for security reasons," he noted. This statement came after a similar warning from Korniychuk some two weeks ago — a warning forcefully dismissed by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. For the moment, neither Moscow nor Jerusalem confirmed that lives of Jewish pilgrims in Uman were at any danger this week.
