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Authorities are working to confirm reports that an Australian man died last month while fighting in Ukraine against Russian forces.
The man was killed in action in December, according to social media posts and media reports.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the department was aware of reports that that an Australian had died in Ukraine and was seeking confirmation from Ukrainian authorities.
“The Australian government’s travel advice is do not travel to Ukraine,” the spokesperson said,
SBS News has learned that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is actively supporting the family of the individual involved. While details remain limited, the department’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the situation.
“We shared cold nights, exhaustion, fear we never spoke out loud, and a bond forged where words stop working,” read a social media paying tribute to the man.
“He was the kind of man you trusted with your life without thinking twice. The kind who showed up when it mattered,” read the post, from an account identifying itself as belonging to a US army veteran and combat medic.
“Ukraine is freer today because of him — but the world is quieter without his laugh, his stubborn courage, his presence beside us.”
In an effort to gather more information, SBS News has reached out to the individual who initially shared the information online. Their response may shed light on the circumstances surrounding this case.
A friend of the man who said he’d fought with him early in the war reportedly told the ABC the man was killed on 12 December.
“[He] was supposed to get married about a week after he was killed. It was his final mission before leave,” the public broadcaster quoted the friend as saying.
DFAT’s ability to provide consular assistance in Ukraine has been significantly limited since Russia’s full-blown invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
It’s important to note that the confirmation of deaths falls under the jurisdiction of foreign authorities, and such processes can be protracted, especially amid the chaos of ongoing conflicts. These situations necessitate patience and careful handling to ensure accuracy and sensitivity.
The ABC reported that the man was killed while serving in the Donetsk region.
Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, has been partially occupied by Russia since 2014. It’s seen some of the most deadly combat since Russia invaded its neighbour nearly four years ago.
At least eight Australians have been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. It’s not known exactly how many Australians have joined Ukraine’s forces in the war.
