Budanov in synagogue: Hanukkah will illuminate victories of Ukraine and Israel

Kyrylo Budanov (right) holding the torch to light the menorah. Photo: JCC BEIT Menachem KYIV Facebook

At a festive banquet held at Kyiv's central synagogue, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, lit the second Hanukkah candle on the menorah alongside Vitali Klitschko, the Chief Rabbi, and the Israeli ambassador.

Before the ceremony, Budanov addressed the banquet participants with a formal speech. Among other remarks, he stated, "The flame of this candle will illuminate our future victory – both ours and that of the State of Israel."

"We all need it," Budanov concluded.

Notably, during the menorah lighting ceremony, Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch spoke to Budanov in Russian.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Budanov lit a Hanukkah menorah made from missile fragments at the Jewish community center.

Read also

In Nigeria, 130 hostages abducted from Catholic school released

The country's authorities reported the release of the last hostages – victims of the attack on the Catholic school.

Zelensky wishes death to Putin in his Christmas message

The presidential address included the phrase "May he parish", said in the context of a Christmas wish.

Hungarian authorities to fund restoration of Serbian Church monastery

The Government of Hungary has allocated funds for the reconstruction of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos Monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Zelensky: All Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on the same date

Volodymyr Zelensky recorded a new video with Christmas greetings.

Instead of Christmas: Zelensky declares January 7 Programmer’s Day

Zelensky decided that January 7 is the most appropriate date for introducing a new holiday.

OCU equates UOC’s losses from “transfers” with losses caused by occupation

In Dumenko’s circle, the losses suffered by the UOC due to so-called “voluntary transfers” to the OCU were equated with losses resulting from occupation and the re-subordination of communities to the Russian Orthodox Church.