Thousands of Orthodox Jews flocked to the Ukrainian city of Uman on Monday for the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, despite warnings from Kyiv not to travel due to the Russian invasion.

It is the second year running when the pilgrimage is taking place amid the war in Gaza, with large numbers coming from Israel.

Every year, pilgrims from Israel and other countries travel to Uman, the birthplace of the Orthodox Hasidic movement, to celebrate the holiday that marks the Jewish New Year.

A spokesman for Ukraine's border guard told AFP "more than 35,000" travelled to Ukraine for the three-day celebration.

Crowds of pilgrims lined the streets of Uman, a small city around 300 kilometres (190 miles) from the front line, many of them reciting prayers.

Uman has been a site of worship for over 200 y

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