#FreeTheHawkei - Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations

Campaign date: April – June 2023

Issue: Following the success of the Australian-made Bushmaster vehicles on the frontlines of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Government identified Australian-made Hawkei light armoured vehicles as providing new battlefield capability for the Ukrainian 2023 spring counter-offensive. As explained by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine was interested in using Hawkeis for “reconnaissance, command and control and mobile electronic warfare roles, and potentially as an air-defence platform.”

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence produced two powerful social media videos to support Ukraine’s request for Hawkeis: one featuring the classic rock anthem ‘Back in Black’ by the legendary AC/DC, and another featuring Tvorchi, Ukraine’s 2023 Eurovision stars. The Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov made direct appeals to the Australian Government. Ukrainian Defence official, Yuri Sak, was also active in Australian media.

The AFUO campaign supported and amplified the Ukrainian Government’s request through nation-wide rallies, collaboration with the Australian advertising agency Beachhead and content agency Screencraft, and strong media engagement.

Campaign actions:

Inspired by the #FreeTheLeopards campaign in Europe in early 2023 — which featured demonstrations in Europe calling for the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine — the #FreeTheHawkei campaign coordinated rallies and flash mobs across Australia to advocate for the ‘release’ of Hawkei vehicles.
The AFUO and state hromada organisations organised protests in Bendigo (outside the Thales’ site where Bushmasters and Hawkeis are made), Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart and Adelaide. Rallies also occurred in France (Paris and Dijon), Switzerland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Georgia, Norway and the USA.
Campaign collateral included social media tiles, rally posters, and artwork produced by renowned Ukrainian graphic artist and art director, Andriy Yermolenko.
Extensive media engagement and outreach securing wide media coverage.
In collaboration with Screencraft, broadcast-quality footage of the rally in Bendigo was shot and provided to mainstream television stations where it was run across evening news bulletins.
An enormous #FreeTheHawkei billboard was installed (pro bono) outside Canberra Airport, a location frequently used by federal MPs. In addition, ‘corflutes’ or posters were placed along the road leading from the airport, and posters were put up in key places around Canberra, such as Manuka and Kingston shops (which are proximate to the russian Embassy).

Campaign outcomes: The Australian Government faced significant public pressure, with extensive media coverage of the issue, including appearances by AFUO co-chairs +Stefan Romaniw and Kateryna Argyrou.

Although the Government stated it was unable to send the Hawkeis to Ukraine due to braking issues and a shortage of spare parts, the widespread outcry — supported by comments from prominent commentators, defense experts and the Coalition — heightened pressure on the Government to do more for Ukraine.

Media coverage included:

Support Us: