A 49-year-old Israeli man did not return from Uman
Jonathan Karlinski-Mashak, 49, traveled to Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, and while returning to Israel, he was removed from the bus at the Ukrainian-Romanian border. The State Border Guard Service stated that the man also holds Ukrainian citizenship and was wanted as a person subject to military service, so he was handed over to the police. Israeli media, meanwhile, are reporting on the man’s possible mobilization, but Ukrainian border guards have not confirmed this.
Yonatan Karlinski-Mashak is a 49-year-old Hasid from Beitar Illit who moved from Ukraine to Israel about 14 years ago. This year, he traveled to Uman for Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year—during which thousands of Bratslav Hasidim traditionally visit the grave of Rabbi Nachman. After the celebrations ended, the man set off back to Israel by bus along with other pilgrims. During a check at the border crossing, he was asked to get off the bus.
According to Israeli media reports, the man initially presented an Israeli passport. His friend, who was traveling with him, said that border guards may have noticed the Ukrainian language Karlinski-Mashke was speaking. After that, the man’s documents were subjected to further scrutiny. As it turned out, he holds not only Israeli citizenship but also Ukrainian citizenship. It was precisely his Ukrainian citizenship that became the key factor in this incident. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine stated that during the inspection, they also discovered that the man was listed as wanted in the records of those subject to military service.
What the border guards explained
The State Border Guard Service separately commented on reports of the man’s alleged mobilization directly at the border. They emphasized that border guards do not check foreigners crossing the border to see if they are registered for military service in Ukraine. Furthermore, the State Border Guard Service does not conduct mobilization activities at border crossing points. “Foreign citizens are not checked by border guards for military registration status in Ukraine when crossing the state border. Furthermore, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine does not carry out mobilization activities at border crossing points,” the service stated.
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, after confirming the man’s Ukrainian citizenship and learning that he was wanted, border guards handed him over to representatives of the National Police for further investigation. In other words, the official version from the Ukrainian side differs from reports that appeared in the Israeli media.
What Is Known About a Possible Mobilization
After his detention, Karlinski-Mashek stopped communicating with his family and friends. This is what led to reports that he might have been sent to perform military service. Israeli media, citing friends and relatives, reported that Karlinski-Mashek may have been transported to Odesa to undergo procedures related to mobilization. His wife also reported that he had been mobilized.
At the same time, Ukrainian government authorities have not yet confirmed that the man was in fact mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Therefore, the claim that the 49-year-old Israeli has already been mobilized remains, for now, information disseminated by Israeli media and the man’s relatives. Karlinski-Masheka’s exact whereabouts are also currently unknown.
Why the man is wanted
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) reported that its records of conscripts contained information indicating that Karlinski-Mashek was wanted. However, the border guard service did not specify the exact reason he was placed on the wanted list or when he was last in Ukraine.
It is known that he was born in Ukraine and moved to Israel about 14 years ago. According to Israeli media reports, Karlinski-Mashek is married, has six children, and has lived in Israel for many years. Possession of an Israeli passport does not negate Ukrainian citizenship, if it has been retained. According to the State Border Guard Service, it was his Ukrainian citizenship that was confirmed during the document check.
The family is asking for help
After contact with the man was lost, his relatives and friends began searching for information about his whereabouts. According to Israeli media reports, the family reached out to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic representatives, asking for help in determining Karlinski-Mashkevich’s whereabouts.
Israeli media also reported that embassy officials told the family that the situation must be handled in accordance with Ukrainian law, but that the diplomats would try to help. So far, the only officially confirmed information is that the man holds Ukrainian citizenship, was wanted by authorities, and was handed over to the police following a border check.
What is known at this point
Thus, the story has two parts. The first part has been confirmed by the Ukrainian side: a 49-year-old man with dual citizenship was stopped while leaving Ukraine; his Ukrainian citizenship and the fact that he was wanted were verified, after which he was handed over to the police.
The second part—the report of his subsequent mobilization—is currently based on reports from Israeli media and statements from the man’s relatives and friends. The Ukrainian Border Guard Service does not confirm that he was mobilized directly at the border and emphasizes that such actions fall outside its jurisdiction. Karlinski-Mashek’s exact whereabouts are currently unknown. There is also no official information on whether he was actually enlisted in the Ukrainian military. This is according to a statement from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
