{"id":85019,"date":"2026-09-01T11:07:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T11:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/85019\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T11:07:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T11:07:22","slug":"tributes-pour-in-for-aussie-soldier-mozzie-killed-in-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/85019\/","title":{"rendered":"Tributes pour in for Aussie soldier \u2018Mozzie\u2019 killed in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coalition MP Phil Thompson has paid tribute to his \u201cmate\u201d and former ADF soldier believed to have been killed while fighting as a volunteer in Ukraine.
Australian officials are investigating the death of the soldier from NSW, known publicly by his call sign, \u201cMozzie\u201d, who was a volunteer soldier and combat medic in the serving Ukrainian International Legion\u2019s<\/a> Med Team Alpha. <\/p>\n

Speaking to The Australian on Tuesday, a close family member said they were told of Mozzie\u2019s death from the soldiers who were there when he died on Friday (Saturday AEST).<\/p>\n

The family member asked that Mozzie\u2019s real name remain undisclosed for privacy and security reasons. <\/p>\n

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has yet to officially confirm Mozzie\u2019s death, but it was understood it was making inquiries with local Ukrainian authorities. <\/p>\n

In a statement, Townsville-based MP Mr Thompson expressed his sadness after learning that Mozzie \u2013 who he called a \u201cmate\u201d \u2013 had been killed in action on August 27 in Ukraine. <\/p>\n

Mr Thompson, who is also opposition spokesman for defence industry and personnel, spoke highly of Mozzie\u2019s time in the Australian Army where he was stationed in Townsville and then deployed overseas.<\/p>\n

\u201cMozzie 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\u2019s Heavy Weapons Platoon, affectionately known as the \u201cFatboys\u201d, and earned the respect of all who served alongside him,\u201c Mr Thompson said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts are with Mozzie\u2019s family, friends, and brothers in the battalion in both Australia and Ukraine as they mourn this terrible loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Mozzie\u2019s mate and fellow veteran, I know there are many in our military and veteran community who will feel this deeply \u2026 stand down, brother. Your duty is done.\u201c<\/p>\n

While in Ukraine, Mozzie maintained a significant online presence, amassing thousands of Instagram followers on an account where he shared his experiences as a frontline combatant. <\/p>\n

He was highly regarded by other international volunteers in Ukraine for his exploits on the battlefield, and was said to have saved multiple lives.<\/p>\n

Multiple accounts linked to foreign volunteers serving in Ukraine posted online tributes, with one calling him the \u201cbravest soldier he knew\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cMozzie saved countless lives as a combat medic and eliminated multiple enemies \u2026 He was crucial in every battle and action we took part in. He was a man of honour with immeasurable courage and highly valuable skills,\u201d one post said.<\/p>\n

A family member commented: \u201cRIP, I\u2019m going to miss him so much. Thank you for posting this, and I can see how much love Ukraine and the soldiers had for him. He was obviously well known and an absolute champion amongst the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Another<\/p>\n

In a video uploaded by the International Legion of Ukraine, Mozzie said he joined his unit, Med Team Alpha, to apply skills learned in the Australian Army. <\/p>\n

In an interview, he said online accounts maintained by units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were a \u201cbig recruiter\u201d and the \u201cnumber one motivator for what you can do and achieve and give back to Ukraine\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a military background in Australia, so a lot of the skills that I had wouldn\u2019t transfer over to other jobs. I thought Ukraine would be the perfect fit to help out as a whole \u2026 you get sick of training and training and training and not being able to put skills to use,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI loved my past job. I did well in it; I had a lot of skills and friends; however, it was definitely time to come over here.\u201d<\/p>\n

In June, 26-year-old former ADF soldier Samuel Pedrazzini was killed in fighting in Donetsk Oblast in Ukraine\u2019s east. <\/p>\n

As many as 14 other Australians are believed to have been killed while fighting in Ukraine, while former Melbourne schoolteacher Oscar Jenkins<\/a> was sentenced last year to 13 years prison after he was captured by Russian forces. <\/p>\n

The Australian government has repeatedly warned Australians not to travel to the frontline.<\/p>\n

Armed Forces of Ukraine has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n

Read related topics:Russia And Ukraine Conflict<\/a>Joseph Humphreys<\/a>Cadet Journalist<\/p>\n

Joseph Humphreys is a Brisbane-based cadet journalist for News Corp Australia. He has previously worked in breaking news for the Courier-Mail.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Coalition MP Phil Thompson has paid tribute to his \u201cmate\u201d and former ADF soldier believed to have 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