Kiev Rabbi Yossi Asman: “We are preparing a plan in case of invasion of Kiev”

In the shadow of growing tensions in Ukraine and growing fears of a Russian invasion, the country’s Jewish community has begun unprecedented preparations for a possible war. Near Kiev is the Jewish town of Antafka, which has been trained in recent days so that it can absorb large numbers of refugees from possible combat centers. The Jewish community has purchased large quantities of food products, beds, mattresses and other means that will help them survive the near future, in the event of an extensive Russian invasion of the country.Rabbi Yossi Asman of the Chabad House in Kiev told the N12: “Our village is in Antafka, it is a pastoral village that the Rabbi of Ukraine, Rabbi Moshe Asman, established after the war in 2014 for the refugees who fled Luhansk to Donetsk. This town has basically everything an ordinary town needs – it built houses, there are kindergartens, a synagogue, in short a Jewish town. The town is located 7 kilometers from the city of Kiev. “”We are preparing for all kinds of options. We believe that everything will be fine, but we must be prepared for any scenario. So we bought a lot of dry food, equipment, folding beds and mattresses. Already some families have moved from Kiev to be in our village, where we accommodate Jews for free. “Everyone who comes. All this costs a lot of money – now we have started a fundraising campaign. Chabad Mobility in Eretz Israel decided to help and donate to us as well,” said Asman.

“In general we do not know what is going to happen. We hope and expect that everything will be fine, that nothing will happen and that the situation will pass in peace and calm. But we are preparing a plan that if there is an invasion towards Kiev, then Jews will be able to come to our village.” “We can not reveal all our plans and the second stage, but the next plan is that all the Jews will be able to come here and unite together.”

“We do not know what will happen, there is a fear that they will bring down the media. So first of all we want us to be together and it will be easier that way. So we will all gather and be together, and basically it is to store as much food, generators, etc.” Finally, Asman asked to clarify: “We are not in a panic, we are very calm and take care of everything that is needed.”

Meanwhile, the White House has declared that “Russia’s recent steps constitute an invasion of Ukraine.” In doing so, the United States is preparing the ground for imposing significant sanctions on Moscow. Earlier, Putin said eastern Ukraine was an ancient Russian country – and ordered the deployment of “peacekeeping” troops in eastern Ukraine.

Putin last night announced the recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine as independent. The two provinces, collectively known as Donbas, themselves declared independence from Ukraine in 2014 and have since defined themselves as “People’s Republics.” Since the declaration of independence of the separatist districts, which was not recognized until yesterday, more than 15,000 people have been killed, according to Ukraine.

Russia denies being a party to the conflict, but is known to support separatists in many ways such as financial aid, the provision of corona vaccines, the issuance of hundreds of thousands of Russian passports to residents and even covert military support. Russia’s recognition of the “People’s Republics” as independent – could pave the way for Moscow to send military forces to these areas openly.