Zakarpattia emergency service chief makes subordinate wear kippah at line-up
Jewish representatives have accused the head of the Zakarpattia regional emergency service of insulting actions toward a newly appointed deputy during an official staff meeting.
In Zakarpattia Region, criminal proceedings have been opened under Article 161 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code – “Violation of citizens’ equality” – after information about an incident at the regional headquarters of the State Emergency Service appeared in open sources, the Telegram channel of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine reported.
According to the published information, on April 30, 2026, during a morning meeting at the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in Zakarpattia Region, where newly appointed deputy chief Yevhen Praslov was being formally introduced, department head Oleh Samsonenko brought a Jewish religious head covering – a maftir hitl with artificial sidelocks – into the assembly hall and ordered Praslov to put it on in front of the staff for photographs.
According to available reports, the official initially refused to comply, but after his superior insisted, he put on the kippah while wearing his State Emergency Service uniform.
It was also reported that Samsonenko allegedly said Praslov “resembles that people – the Yids – in his cunning,” and that at the next line-up, as well as on Rescuer’s Day, everyone would be wearing helmets, while Praslov would have to stand in formation wearing the kippah.
The report separately notes that the incident may have been recorded for an official State Emergency Service resource.
According to the United Jewish Community of Ukraine, criminal proceedings were opened on the basis of this information.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to DESS head Viktor Yelensky, the revival of Jewish life in Ukraine is “a true miracle.”
