Yeshiva students received mobilization order to Ukrainian army

Chabad Hasidim in Kiev received mobilization orders to the Ukrainian army, following the Russian invasion of the Crimea.

Zvika Klein of Ma'ariv reveals this morning that yeshiva students in Brodsky synagogue, belonging to Chabad, received mobilization orders in recent days to the Ukrainian army, as said yesterday (Monday) by rabbi of the synagogue and Chabad emissary in central Ukraine Harav Moshe Reuven Asman.

"The situation in the Ukraine is delicate because of the situation vs Russia," said Rabbi Asman, "a few boys from the yeshiva received mobilization orders, on the street people are called to the draft, there is an atmosphere of general mobilization of the army."

At the Orach Chaim Yeshiva associated with Karlin - Stolin, located in Podul neighborhood in the city, some students received orders. The Rosh Yeshiva is Rabbi of Ukraine, Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich.

It is still not clear whether the orders are designed to recruit fully or just reporting. Yeshiva students in Kiev say that those who will really be recruited to the war will leave the Ukraine and it is out of the question.

Meir Pawlowski, some of whose friends got an order, said emphatically: "If they call me, I will go to Israel, there is no way to be religious in the Ukrainian army, there's no kosher food and they do not allow you to keep Jewish law. Shabbos is cleanup cay."

"Anyone whom they would force to enlist will go to Israel," he says, "the main thing is that Jews will make it on time to get out before they close the gate, it's just like World War II, the Jews thought until the last moment whether to leave or not, sometimes you just have to get up and go."

Russia withdrew its troops

Meanwhile reports have been received that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered this morning (Tuesday) the Russian army soldiers to return to their bases after the exercise that lasted nearly a week in the western border with Ukraine. Kremlin announces that the military exercise was successful and has no connection with the events in the Crimea.

This morning the Defense Department spokesman denied reports that Russian Kremlin has set an ultimatum to Ukraine, according to which Russia would attack the country if it does not surrender. The speaker referred to the rumors of an ultimatum from the Kremlin Ukraine "absolute nonsense".

The commander of the Russian Navy in the Black Sea, near the Crimea, refuted the rumors. "We're used to accusations of Ukrainian media that we execute military operations against our fellow Ukrainians," said the admiral. "Those who want to goad us at each other – will fail".

Although it seems that Russia will not attack the Ukrainian forces soon, the United States is still considering how to respond to Moscow's military intervention in the Crimea. Senior White House official told Reuters that U.S. President Barack Obama and his advisers are exploring ways to isolate Russia. "Russians still have a chance to stop the escalation, but if not - they will face sanctions," the official said.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!