Medic Jed Danahay, who was killed by Russian forces, remembered by Queensland’s Ukrainian community

The Queensland medic who was killed by Russian forces has been remembered as someone who “sacrificed his life” and “defended democracy and human rights”.

Queensland’s Ukrainian community has remembered East Nanango man Jed William Danahay as a “hero” after he was killed by Russian forces while working as a medic in Ukraine.

Mr Danahay, 27, was killed by Russian artillery fire on August 24 in eastern Ukraine where he was working as a combat medic to assist frontline troops.

Jed Danahay.

Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said Mr Danahay’s willingness wouldn’t be forgotten by the community.

“He’ll be remembered as a hero and he’ll be remembered as someone who sacrificed his life. He defended democracy and he defended human rights,” he said.

“He’s the perfect example of that self-sacrifice. He knew he would be in danger, he knew he could get killed and he still went over anyway.”

Mr Myroshnychenko said Mr Danahay’s job as a medic was “extremely important” and one of the most gruelling jobs in the war.

“He was out there providing assistance while under direct threat,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and the Ukrainian Community of Queensland (UCQ) also remembered Mr Danahay.

“Our community feels pain and sorrow that a good, decent young man has lost his life in this way,” said Stefan Romaniw, AFUO Co-Chair.

“We pay respect to the bravery and courage of Mr Danahay, who was helping to provide medical support to Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline. We salute him as a hero and honour his selflessness and respect for human life,” he said.

President of UCQ, Peter Bongiorni, wished the Danahay family “peace and comfort” through their grieving.

“Our community also extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Danahay. We are deeply sorry for their loss, and offer our condolences and prayers at this difficult and tragic time,” he said.

“May Mr Danahay rest in peace. In Ukrainian, we wish him Вічная пам’ять (Eternal Memory).”

MP David Littleproud also shared a tribute to Mr Danahay on his social media saying he wished to express his sympathies to his loved ones.

“Jed, a medic from East Nanango, was described by his family as an optimist and someone who gave his life ‘doing what he believed in, helping people who needed it’,” he said.

“His family have also said ‘Jed lived his life trying to help other people, in his short time on this earth Jed did more things than most of us will ever do in a lifetime’.”

Mr Danahay’s childhood friend Alister Robinson also remembered his friend of 15 years, saying he considered him one of his “best mates”.

“I haven’t seen him in a few years but had heard about his adventures around the world. It’s a tragedy but he died helping people and trying to make the world better,” he said.