"We Tried to Evacuate 50 Jews from Ukraine, But All Routes Are Closed"

It is difficult to hold a continuous conversation with Hillel Cohen, head of United Hatzalah in Ukraine these days. Every few moments he receives an urgent message or call from another part of the country. Sometimes it is Jews requesting his help with evacuation, other times communities looking for a medic in their area who can be available for any emergency, and sometimes it's just more media outlets wanting to hear from one of the most active individuals in the Jewish communities in Ukraine about what is happening in the turbulent war zones.

A Tangible Danger

Hillel Cohen is Israeli but has lived in Kyiv for the past 23 years. He serves as the head of United Hatzalah in Ukraine and is currently in Odessa. "It's not that I planned to leave Kyiv," he notes, "I sent my family to Israel, but I remained in Kyiv to be with the community. Over the weekend, I went to Odessa and thought of returning, but all access to the city was closed, so I continue activities from here, trying to do what I can."

What is the current situation in Odessa?

"In recent days there have been bombings, and all life stopped at once. Right now, no one is leaving their house, and there is definitely a sense of war. However, I have to point out that in Odessa itself there have not been direct hits yet. This might be because it is considered a pro-Russian city, with many residents holding Russian citizenship. It appears that Putin knows how to target attacks so as not to hit Odessa, just like Hamas aims carefully to avoid hitting Arab villages in Israel. This is the great luck of the Jews in Odessa because there are many hundreds of Jews belonging to two communities here – the Chabad community and the communities of Rabbi Backschte and Rabbi Kruskal. Both communities are well prepared, and anyone associated with them is in good hands, though the situation is clearly not easy."

United Hatzalah missions on their way to Ukraine

And what's happening in Kyiv?

"In Kyiv, the situation is much worse; they are constantly bombarded, and the danger is truly real. There are also several large Jewish communities there, with many hundreds of Jewish families. Most of them have been evacuated to a distant camp, where they will stay until the war ends."

Cohen notes that this is indeed the trend these days – fleeing from central Ukraine to areas near the border. "But it's not simple at all," he emphasizes. "Let me give you an example to illustrate this – yesterday we left with a group of about 50 Jews towards the Polish border, but then we had to stop at a roadside inn an hour's drive from Odessa. We couldn't move forward because of a curfew from 6 PM to 7 AM due to the war."

"Meanwhile, I received a phone call reporting a 60-year-old Jewish man, diabetic, in Uman whose doctors say is in serious condition and needs immediate surgery. It was clear that he needed to be evacuated quickly to a hospital for professional treatment. I set out from Odessa to meet him halfway and transfer him to the hospital, but in the meantime, all escape routes were closed, leaving us both stuck."

"These are situations where you don't know how to help," he admits candidly, "and it's so frustrating. We believe Hashem guides us and pray constantly, but it's still very hard."

Incidentally, he says that even refugees who have managed to escape Ukraine don't always find peace and safety. "We are currently assisting a group of families in Moldova who want to continue to Israel," he shares, "but it's unclear where they'll stay once they arrive in Israel. We're trying to help them, but our resources are limited. Especially since in normal times we have representatives all over Ukraine, but now many medics have fled, and we don't have many forces to handle the situation. Thank Hashem, there have not been serious injuries or illnesses so far, but this is a situation that could, God forbid, change at any moment."

Fear of the Future

And what about moving forward, how are you preparing?

Cohen notes that just as they could not prepare for the current war because they couldn't anticipate such an extreme scenario, it's also difficult to prepare for what's to come. "We truly have no idea what's going to happen," he says, "but we remain on high alert at all times, with security for each community. At this very moment, messengers from United Hatzalah in Israel are arriving in Ukraine with medical equipment, food, and many needed items. This will certainly help us immensely, but what can truly help are prayers. We pray constantly and hope that the many merits of the outreach work being done in communities across Ukraine will stand by us."

Honestly, are you afraid?

"I truly believe in Hashem and am not afraid at all. What strengthens me is a special prayer session held a few weeks ago in Uman, at Rabbi Nachman's grave, attended by children from all over Ukraine, praying for the cancellation of the war. As I said - there is not a single moment of fear; we know the war is managed solely by the Master of the World, but yes, there are occasionally moments of stress and crisis."

"Pray for us," Cohen ends the interview, "The situation is not simple at all. There are many Jewish Israelis living in Ukraine with nowhere to go. Not long ago, we received a call from a hundred Israelis on their way to the border, but when they came under fire, they had to stop and wait for a police escort."

He takes this opportunity to reach out to other Jews in Ukraine: "We are here for you and will not leave the area; if you need help, contact us, and we will be happy to assist as much as we can."