DFAT officials seek to confirm death of Australian man fighting in Ukraine

An Australian soldier has reportedly died in Ukraine while fighting against the Russian invasion of that country.

Australian officials are trying to confirm reports that Russell Allen Wilson was killed by Russian forces near Pokrovsk, in Ukraine’s eastern region, in early December.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of reports that an Australian has died in Ukraine and is seeking confirmation from local authorities,” a spokesperson said.

“The Australian Government’s travel advice is do not travel to Ukraine.”

Multiple social media posts from pro- and anti-Russian accounts said Mr Wilson died on either December 10 or December 12 after fighting in Ukraine since 2023.

A friend of his told the ABC on Thursday that Mr Wilson had been on “his final mission before leave” and was supposed to get married shortly after he was killed.

DFAT would not confirm Mr Wilson’s name due to privacy obligations.

However, it’s understood Australian officials are providing consular assistance to his family, although the ability to do so is limited because Ukraine is an active warzone.

A handful of Australians have been killed in Ukraine since the invasion escalated four years ago.

Russian forces captured Australian man Oscar Jenkins last year, and sentenced him in May to 13 years in a maximum security prison.