An Aussie soldier is believed to have been killed fighting as a volunteer in Ukraine.
The soldier, known only by his call sign, ‘Mozzie,’ is said to have been killed in action on Friday, August 27.
A close family member confirmed the death with The Australianon Tuesday, September 1.
They said the death was confirmed by soldiers who were there when Mozzie died.
The Aussie joined Ukraine’s International Legion and was an infantry man and combat medic with Med Team Alpha, according to an X page dedicated to fallen Australian Defence Force ADF) troops.
The post included a tribute from one of Mozzie’s close friends on the frontline.
The soldier said Mozzie was “the bravest soldier I have ever known.”
“As a combat medic he pulled countless people back from the edge, and he also took out multiple enemies. I was there for most of what he did in this war. After everything we had already been through, very few still wanted to keep fighting. Mozzie did,” he wrote.
The trooper, who was not named, said Mozzie killed six enemy troops after they opened fire and killed his team leader and his best friend. He said Mozzie tried to keep his team leader alive as long as he could until a vehicle got there to take him out.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has yet to officially confirm Mozzie’s death, but it was understood it was making inquiries with local Ukrainian authorities.
Coalition MP Phil Thompson led tributes for the fallen soldier.
The Townsville MP called Mozzie a “mate”and spoke highly of his time in the Australian Army where he was stationed in Townsville and then deployed overseas.
“Mozzie proudly served his country as a member of the Townsville-based 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, including deployments on RCB and to Papua New Guinea. He was a valued member of the Battalion’s Heavy Weapons Platoon, affectionately known as the ‘Fatboys’, and earned the respect of all who served alongside him,“ Mr Thompson said.
“He was the kind of bloke who never hesitated to put others before himself. He was a good man, a great soldier, and someone his mates could always rely on when it mattered most.
“My thoughts are with Mozzie’s family, friends, and brothers in the battalion in both Australia and Ukraine as they mourn this terrible loss.
“As Mozzie’s mate and fellow veteran, I know there are many in our military and veteran community who will feel this deeply … stand down, brother. Your duty is done.”
Mozzie regularly shared experiences of the frontline on social media and had thousands of Instagram followers.
In an interview with the International Legion in June, Mozzie said he volunteered in Ukraine because he was tired of training and wanted to use the skills he had been taught.
As many as 14 other Australians are believed to have been killed while fighting in Ukraine, while former Melbourne schoolteacher Oscar Jenkins was sentenced last year to 13 years prison after he was captured by Russian forces.
The Australian government has repeatedly warned Australians not to travel to the frontline.
DFAT has been contacted for comment.