Tired of training: Australian soldiers unofficially putting ‘skills to use’ fighting in Ukraine

“I’m Mozzie, I’m from Australia. I’m a part of Med Team Alpha in the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine,” said Australian soldier “Mossie”, reportedly serving as a combat medic in the conflict.

“I have a military background in Australia. So a lot of the skills that I had wouldn’t transfer over to other jobs and stuff like that. So I thought Ukraine would be the perfect opportunity to one help out the country as a whole and use my skills (for) to a good use.

“I mainly wanted to do this because I got sick of training and training and training and not actually getting to put my skills to use or use them for what they were intended for.

“I loved my past job. I did good in it. I learned a lot. I had a lot of skills, had a lot of friends and stuff like that. However, it was definitely time to come over here and provide whatever skills I had.”

Under current legislation, serving active Australian Defence Force personnel and Reservists cannot work for a foreign military without official Australian government permission.

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Private Australian citizens are restricted from travelling overseas to engage in hostile activities unless they serve in the official armed forces of a recognised foreign government (which includes the official International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine).

Despite the current legislation, an Australian Army Reservist was arrested earlier this year after allegedly working unauthorised as drone operator for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The 25-year-old South Australian Army Reservist was charged with breaching Defence legislation after allegedly fighting in Ukraine and allegedly working for a foreign military without authorisation.

“It is alleged the Felixstow man travelled to Ukraine in May 2025 to serve as a drone operator for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the war with Russia without authorisation. In January 2026, he returned to Australia,” a statement from the AFP said.

“AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Felixstow on Thursday (2 April 2026) and seized several electronic devices, including a mobile phone and laptop. Forensic examination of the electronic devices allegedly identified images linking the man to participation in a foreign conflict.

“The man was charged with one count of foreign work restricted individual working for a foreign military organisation or government body, contrary to section 115A of the Defence Act 1903 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years’ imprisonment.”

AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Paula Hudson said the AFP worked closely with its local, Commonwealth and international partners to protect Australia’s interests. The electric devices will be subject to further AFP forensic analysis.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.