Australia sending drones, imposes more sanctions on anniversary of Russian invasion

As the world marks one year of loss and destruction, Anthony Albanese has pleaded with Vladimir Putin to ‘stop the war now’.

Anthony Albanese has renewed his call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop is illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine “today”.

Friday marks the one year anniversary of the conflict, and the Prime Minister has announced Ukrainian forces will be bolstered with a $33 million drone delivery.

The “uncrewed aerial surveillance” will be sent to Ukraine, while a further 90 Russian individuals and 40 organisations have been hit with sanctions.

There are now more than a thousand Russians subject to Australian sanctions since the war started on this day last year.

Over the past year, thousands of people have been killed and millions of people have been displaced, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that without more help from Western allies Russia risked winning.

Mr Albanese said he believed Russia truly thought the war would “be over in a few days”, and the ongoing conflict was not only an attack on Ukriane, but on the international rules based order.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last year, and paid tribute to him on the one year anniversary of the war. Picture: Ukrainian Presidency via ABACAPRESS.COM.

He said war crimes were being committed in Ukraine, and paid tribute to the “courage and resilience and determination of the people of Ukraine, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy”.

“They have made enormous sacrifice – a sacrifice in lives, in infrastructure, in their standard of living. They live under constant pressure … and yet they have stood tall,” Mr Albanese said.

“Today, one year since this illegal invasion, we again say to Vladimir Putin – stop this war now. Withdraw your forces now.

“There is no need to continue this war … Vladimir Putin can stop this, and he can stop this today. He should stop this today.”

One year on from Russia’s unjustified and unlawful invasion, Australia stands with Ukraine pic.twitter.com/av2uCJcO2X

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) February 23, 2023

So far Australia has committed military aid worth more than $500 million, including 90 Bushmaster vehicles, ammunition and artillery.

Some Australian soldiers are also deployed to the UK, where they are training Ukrainian civilians to fight in the war.

The drones are not armed, but will help the Ukrainian armed forces monitor Russian troop movements.

“This support will provide a battlefield intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability to the Ukrainian armed forces as they continue to fight against the unwarranted aggression of Russia,” Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

“The Ukrainian people have shown immense bravery and determination in defending their homeland against Russia’s illegal invasion, and Australia will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

Senator Wong said Australia continued to “condemn Russia’s illegal and immoral war”.

“The government is demonstrating that by what we are doing, in addition to what we have provided so far,” she told ABC News.

“(On sanctions), it is a heavy sanctions regime against a government which has chosen to engage in an illegal and immoral war, breaching sovereignty and the UN Charter, which is why we have to stand against Russia.”

Australia will send drones to help Ukraine in their fight against Russia. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Senator Wong said Australia continued to urge China to do all it could to de-escalate and end the war, after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said there had been signs China was considering supplying arms to Russia.

“This war, waged by Mr Putin, is an attack on sovereignty and an attack on the UN Charter. We would urge China to do all it can to end the conflict,” Senator Wong said.

In a joint statement, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham and defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said they “share the grief” of Ukrainians on the anniversary.

“Australia must not grow fatigued of helping Ukraine defend itself,” the said.

It is imperative the Albanese Government provide additional humanitarian support and further military assistance.”

They also called for the Australian embassy to be reinstated in Kyiv.

“As the people of Ukraine have shown their heroic ability to defend themselves, Australia must remain at one with our international partners in support of Ukraine,” they said.

Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the $33 million drones package. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

On Thursday night, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, reflected on the aid Australia had provided.

“Each Australian Bushmaster is more than just a hardy and handy protected vehicle, it’s actually the Anzac spirit, it’s Australian mateship,” he told 7.30.

“This is what is saving lives, helping Ukraine win.”

Mr Myroshnychenko will deliver a speech to the National Press Club on Friday.