A growing number of Jewish soldiers serving on the front lines in Ukraine have recently approached shluchim with a deeply personal request: to undergo a bris milah.

The new development began with Grigory P., a Jewish soldier tasked with recovering the bodies of soldiers killed in battle. The difficult scenes he witnessed led him to think more deeply about his Jewish identity and his bond with Hashem.

“What I saw made me realize that if I am destined to die, I want to die as a Jew, after sealing my bond with Hashem through a bris milah,” he said.

After hearing Grigory’s words, six additional Jewish soldiers asked to undergo a bris milah as well.

Their requests prompted a partnership between mohel Rabbi Yoel Gelber and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine, which has been assisting Jewish soldiers throughout the war.

In the coming weeks, Yaakov Sinyakov, who oversees the federation’s work with Jewish soldiers at the front, will visit military bases across Ukraine. He will share Grigory’s story, speak about the significance of bris milah, and help arrange brissim for soldiers who will be granted special leave for the occasion.

“The zechus of bris milah is a segulah for protection and deliverance,” the federation said. “We daven that the soldiers return home safe and healthy.”