The Australian-Ukrainian community was honoured to farewell Australian Defence Force (ADF) soldiers departing Darwin for the United Kingdom this week to join partner nations in providing critical training to Ukrainian infantry recruits.
The contingent of 90 ADF personnel have been deployed as part of Operation Kudu, which assists the UK-led and based training program supporting Ukraine’s defence in response to Russia’s illegal invasion.
The contingent was formally farewelled on Monday, January 8, 2024, at an official event at Edinburgh RAAF Base in Adelaide. Acting Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite and senior military leadership inspected the contingent, wished them well, thanked them for their service, and asked them to be strong and humble in training the Ukrainian soldiers.
Frank Fursenko, Lt Col. Leven Lambert, Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite, Stefan Romaniw
Mr Thistlethwaite said the ADF was performing an essential role as the two-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine loomed. He noted that 370 members of the ADF had already been sent to the UK to assist in training members of the Ukrainian infantry.
Religious leaders, including the Army Chaplain and a representative of the Salvation Army, offered prayers for those leaving.
The Ukrainian community of SA was well represented to extend their thanks, with many wearing Ukrainian embroidered clothing.
Rev Father Evhen Kvasniuk from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church conducted a special service and blessed one hundred crosses to be passed onto Ukrainian soldiers.
The SA Ukrainian community was represented by Frank Fursenko, President of the Association of Ukrainians in SA (AUSA), Bohdan Wojewidka, Dnister Chairman and Vice President of AUSA, and other community leaders and members.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and Ukrainian World Congress were represented by Stefan Romaniw, AFUO Co Chair, and UWC Vice President.
Mr Romaniw presented Lt. Col. Levon Lambert, Commanding officer of the 7th RAR Battalion, with ‘motanky dolls’ made in AFUO Ukraine Crisis Appeal shelters for members of the ADF. He explained their significance as a sign of hope, and thanked the Australian Government for its support of Ukraine.
Mr Romaniw also raised with Mr Thistlethwaite the immediate need for more military support for Ukraine. He called on the Assistant Minister to raise these concerns with the Minister for Defence, Richard Marles.
The AFUO wrote to Senator Marles last week calling for urgent and speedy military support for Ukraine, as it sought to defend itself against constant Russian attack.
Mr Romaniw also reinforced the message that Ukraine is fighting a war for a free world, and one of values and democratic principles.
