Australia steps up military support for Ukraine

Australia has stepped up its support for Ukraine as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighs up an invite to visit Kyiv.

Australia has dialled up its military aid to Ukraine, with four of the 14 promised armoured vehicles en route to the war-torn nation.

The M113AS4s were loaded into a Ukrainian aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley in southeast Queensland last week.

Donned with a fresh coat of paint and stickers declaring Australia is “united with Ukraine”, the shipment is part of the government’s $285m package of military aid.

The ‘United with Ukraine’ decal is fixed onto the first of 14 M113AS4 armoured personnel carriers bound for Ukraine. Picture: Defence Media

But Defence Minister Richard Marles has indicated Australia could provide further military and humanitarian aid.

“We will continue to look at ways we can best help the people of Ukraine. Australia stands with Ukraine and again calls on Russia to cease its unprovoked, unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine,” he said.

Ukraine ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko welcomed the efforts but said more support was always welcome.

“The weapons already provided so far … were extremely helpful,” he told Nine.

“Everyday we see 100 Ukrainian soldiers killed, 400 wounded. For every Ukrainian shell, we get 10 Russian shells. We are running out of ammunition.”

A M113AS4 armoured personnel carrier bound for Ukraine is loaded onto an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft. Picture: Defence Media

Anthony Albanese said the latest shipment of military assistance responded to a direct request for additional vehicles by Ukraine’s Defence Minister.

“Australia, like many nations, condemns the continuing unwarranted aggression of Russia against the people of Ukraine,” the Prime Minister said.

“Our nation has stood by Ukraine since the beginning of this unlawful conflict and we are proud to be able to provide access to significant capabilities such as the armoured personnel carriers that have travelled in the past week.”

Mr Albanese is weighing up an invitation from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Kyiv later this month.

The Ukrainian President has extended an offer for Anthony Albanese to visit Kyiv. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Zelensky extended the invitation in a handwritten letter congratulating the Labor leader on his election win.

Asked last week if he would take up the offer, which would coincide with his attendance at the NATO summit in Madrid, Mr Albanese said he was taking “appropriate advice”.

“I will take appropriate advice and obviously there are security issues as well in terms of such a visit,” he said on Friday.

“I appreciate the spirit in which it has been offered.”