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.

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