Military assistance to Ukraine boosted

Australia will announce additional military assistance to Ukraine on Friday, the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.

An Australian Bushmaster in action in Ukraine.

Australia will announce additional military assistance to Ukraine on Friday, the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.

The commitment brings the total value of Australia’s military support for Ukraine to more than $510m and includes 90 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles; six M777 155mm lightweight towed howitzers; 28 M113AS4 Armoured Vehicles; de-mining equipment and anti-armour weapons.

Australia has also provided up to 70 personnel to help train Ukrainian troops in Britain, with the first rotation of about 200 Ukrainian recruits poised to graduate on Friday from the military training package provided by the ADF under Operation Kudu.

The government will also expand its regime of targeted financial sanctions and travel bans to a further 90 people, and targeted financial sanctions against 40 entities. The move will mean Australia will have imposed more than 1000 sanctions on those deemed to be complicit in Russia’s aggression.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Ukrainian people had shown “immense bravery and determination” in defending their homeland and that “Australia will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes”.

“In response to requests, Australia is providing more Uncrewed Aerial Systems to the Ukrainian government,” he said. “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.”

“This announcement coincides with the first graduation of Australian-trained Ukrainian soldiers as part of a UK-led multinational training effort to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They leave with skills and knowledge that will save lives when they take up the fight against Russia.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia was “imposing additional sanctions, targeting those in the Russian government who are helping prolong this war, those financing this war, and those spreading mistruths to justify this war”.

“Australia’s sanctions regime against Russia is our largest. This reflects our support for the people of Ukraine and for the fundamental norms of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Senator Wong said.