Seventy Diggers to help Ukraine

Australia will deploy up to 70 ADF personnel to train Ukrainian troops, and send another 30 Bushmaster vehicles to the country to support its war against Russia.

The ADF is sending another 30 Bushmaster protected vehicles to Ukraine.

Australia will deploy up to 70 ADF personnel to train Ukrainian troops, and send another 30 Bushmaster protected vehicles to the country to support its war against Russia.

The Australian Defence Force trainers will be based in Britain from January 2023 as part of Operation Interflex – the British-led effort to train Ukrainian forces.

The extra Bushmasters, which Ukrainian troops have lauded for their battlefield performance, brings the number of the vehicles now pledged to Ukraine to 90.

Ukraine is desperate to speed up the delivery of the promised Bushmasters and M113 armoured personnel carriers, which are being shipped at the rate of just three a fortnight.

It’s understood Ukraine has made an informal request for US support to transport the Australian vehicles to Europe.

Anthony Albanese said Australia had been unequivocal in its support for Ukraine and its condemnation of Vladimir Putin. “We will continue to stand up for freedom and democracy,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is a not just about Ukraine’s sovereignty; the brave people of Ukraine are defending international law, rules and norms.”

The Australian training support follows the deployment of 30 New Zealand Army trainers to the UK-led mission, and an Ardern government commitment to send another 120.

The Albanese government has made it clear “no ADF personnel will enter Ukraine”.

The commitments bring Australia’s total support for Ukraine to $655m, including $475m in military assistance that Defence has to absorb from its budget.

As of 10 days ago, 38 Bushmasters had arrived in Ukraine, with at least three destroyed by Russian forces.

A report online this week by a Ukrainian Bushmaster operator said the only downside of the vehicle was its right-hand drive steering wheel, but “this is probably not even a disadvantage … you just need to get used to it”.

“At the beginning of the war, we did not have a vehicle with such a level of anti-splinter protection, and this (stops) shrapnel very well,” amphibious assault brigade soldier Volodymyr said. “When we left Lysychansk, we had a case where a … mine exploded just near the wheel of a car. Only the wheel was torn, but … all the personnel remained alive and unharmed.”

Australia’s support package to Ukraine includes six 155mm towed howitzers, together with ammunition, 28 armoured personnel carriers, shoulder-launched anti-armour missiles, weapons and other weapons, and about $32m for the purchase of unmanned aerial systems, decoys and remote vehicles.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia was proud to support Ukraine “with valuable tools to aid their continuing resistance against this unwarranted aggression”.

Ukraine ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said his country was “eternally grateful to the Australian government for standing strong with Ukraine”. He said the Bushmaster was a symbol of Australia’s support, and they were “really contributing to increasing Ukraine’s military capabilities”. The training support was also welcome, and would be “a great opportunity to develop a personal connection” of Australians and Ukrainians.