Australia Sage O'Donnell died fighting in the conflict involving NATO countries, Ukraine and Russia. Photo: Supplied
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese is urging citizens not to go against government travel advice and join the fight against Russia in Ukraine.
The call comes after Victorian man, Sage O'Donnell, was killed fighting for Ukraine.
Albanese advised against taking up arms: "The way that Australians can give support is to give money, to give support to charities and others who are acting in Ukraine - not to go and participate in fighting there."
Albanese said his government could not confirm how many Australians had travelled to, or were fighting in, Ukraine, as families and authorities were not always notified.
Mother 'devastated'
The mother of Victorian man Sage O'Donnell said he "died in action defending the freedom of the Ukrainian people", according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
He was believed to have died just before Christmas.
DFAT said it was "providing consular assistance" to the man's family.
His mother said they were "devastated" by the loss of O'Donnell, whose "humour, kind heart, values and laughter will be dearly missed".
"Sage died in action defending the freedom of the Ukrainian people … [he] has always believed in defending country, people and the right for freedom," his mother, who has not been named, said.
"Sage passionately upheld his values and served here in his own country and most recently in Ukraine.
"Sage chose to take action based on his empathy for the Ukrainian people, and the injustice that is taking place.
"He fell in love with Ukraine and its culture and was humbled by the kindness and hospitality within his new community.
"Sage chose to live his life true to his beliefs and cause."
Australian fighter from Victoria talks about training foreign volunteers in #Ukraine. He's ex military and has been training would-be fighters and Ukrainians in western weaponry. As a member of Ukraine's armed forces it's unlikely he'll be prosecuted under Aussie law. pic.twitter.com/3Dy3IEfOyg
— Norma Costello (@normcos) August 1, 2022
Irish journalist Norma Costello tweeted in August what appeared to be a video interview with O'Donnell.
With much of his face covered by a dark green balaclava, O'Donnell explained that he was hoping to use his military background to help train and protect volunteers fighting against the Russians.
"I'm able to come here and train them and provide another perspective that might save their life," he said in the video.
A Facebook page called "Memorial - International Legion Defense of Ukraine", which tracks foreign-born fighters in the war, paid tribute to O'Donnell, offering "gratitude to our brother".
O'Donnell was believed to be the fourth Australian to have died during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February.
'He joined as a legionnaire'
Andrew Hewage met O'Donnell when he travelled to Ukraine from Sri Lanka to help in the war effort.
He knew the Australian as "Don" and told the ABC they met at a training camp in western Ukraine in October.
"He joined as a legionnaire, he was with us [on] the front line and later he joined as an instructor," Hewage said.
"He was a wonderful man … everything he did, being with us, the job he did, he was very fair in what he did and had a smile always on his face.
"There was no-one who was willing to say anything bad about him, and everyone was a good friend for him, and he was okay with everyone. Everyone. Every single person.
"He was a very humble guy, and he's one of a kind. He was a hero because he sacrificed his life for someone else, not for himself.
Hewage learned of O'Donnell's death from another colleague, and said he was shocked by the news.
"We did not expect this to happen," he said.
"Those locations were fortified, but unfortunately the shells have been hit directly to the location."
-ABC
