An Australian man believed to be aiding in the ongoing war effort against Russian forces has been killed in Ukraine.
Key points:
- According to a tribute posted on Facebook, Mr. O’Neill was helping to drive injured and injured from the front line in Ukraine.
- DFAT says he has contacted his family and offered them consular assistance
- He had three children and a family, mostly in Tasmania
Michael O’Neill, 48, is believed to have been in Ukraine helping the country with humanitarian aid when he was wounded and killed.
Mr. O’Neill leaves behind three children and a family based primarily in Tasmania.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says he has contacted Mr O’Neill’s family.
“DFAT is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian murdered in Ukraine. For privacy reasons we cannot provide further information,” the spokesman said.
Read more about the Russian invasion of Ukraine:
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the Australian’s death on Saturday.
“This is a tragedy and I want to offer my condolences to the family of the person involved; the family has demanded that their privacy be respected,” he said.
A tribute to Mr O’Neill posted on Facebook says he was loved as a “larrikin” family man who spent his time between the Philippines and Australia.
“Then he helped drive the wounded and wounded from the front line. Unfortunately, with a sad ending, Mick had spent the last few years driving trucks into the mining industry and [spent] months in the Philippines with their children, “the tribute publication said.
A death notice published in the Tasmanian newspaper Hobart Mercury said Michael O’Neill left five brothers and sisters.
“We are all very proud of you, you did it your way,” the newspaper’s obituary said.
A memorial service will be held at a local football club in Tasmania next month.
Currently, Russian troops are advancing through eastern Ukraine, gaining ground in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine.
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Posted 36 minutes ago 36 minutes ago, Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 6:26 AM, updated 10 minutes ago, 10 minutes ago, Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 6:51 AM