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Australian authorities are trying to confirm reports that a national was killed while fighting alongside Ukrainian troops against Russia.
The man, identified in social media posts as Russell Allan Wilson, was killed on December 12 in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, local media reported.
On December 19, a man claiming to be a U.S. veteran posted on Instagram that Wilson was killed in combat and chose to stay in Ukraine despite the risks.
“When it was easier to leave, he chose to stay,” the post said. “He stood his ground in a place where freedom was bought with blood.”
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is aware of reports of the death of an Australian in Ukraine and is seeking confirmation from local authorities,” a department spokesman said on Thursday. The department is responsible for Australia’s foreign policy and international relations, development assistance, consular services, overseas trade and investment.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) quoted a friend of Wilson as saying that Wilson died on his last mission.
Other posts said Wilson was from Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast and had also lived in Brisbane before traveling to Ukraine following the full-scale Russian invasion. These details have not been independently confirmed.
“The Australian Government’s travel advice is not to travel to Ukraine,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said, adding that officials were providing consular assistance to the man’s family.
At least eight Australians are believed to have died fighting in Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
other Australian and former Melbourne teacher Oscar JenkinsHe is believed to be the only Australian prisoner of war captured by Russian forces. Jenkins was initially reported dead, but Australian Foreign Minister Anthony Wong later said Russia had confirmed he was still alive.
Ms Huang said Jenkins received what she called a “sham trial” and is now incarcerated. Australian Ukrainian groups have urged the federal government to promote his involvement in any future prisoner exchanges, warning he could be forgotten as the war continues.