Crisis Hub
Invasion of Ukraine by Russia
Overview
Australia joins our partners in condemning Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
The invasion is a breach of international law, including the UN Charter, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Australia stands in staunch support of Ukrainians together with the international community, including by imposing coordinated sanctions and measures to inflict a cost to those who bear responsibility, and providing humanitarian assistance to support those in greatest need.
Australia is also providing consular assistance to Australians in Ukraine, including maintaining a registration portal, and monitoring developments to inform travel advice.
Sanctions
Information on sanctions implemented by Australia in relation to Russia and Ukraine.
Travel advice and consular assistance
Australians should follow the latest Ukraine Travel Advice & Safety.
Military action is underway in Ukraine. If you're in Ukraine, shelter in place until it's safe to depart, and register your whereabouts on DFAT's registration portal for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members.
If you have significant concerns for your welfare, or that of other Australians, contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.
Our Embassy and operations in Ukraine are temporarily closed. Australian Government officials have been deployed to eastern Poland, Romania and Moldova to provide consular assistance to Australians departing Ukraine. These officers have provided assistance to numerous Australians in Ukraine seeking to cross the border. If it's safe to leave Ukraine and you're travelling by road, check the transport routes and entry requirements for where you are travelling to. For information on entry requirements for countries bordering Ukraine, visit Smartraveller .
Family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents wishing to travel to Australia who do not have a right of entry should refer to information from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
The Department of Home Affairs is supporting Australia’s response to the escalating crisis in Ukraine and is progressing outstanding visa applications from Ukrainian nationals as a priority, across all visa categories.
Bilateral engagement
The establishment of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme, on 10 December 2020, ushered in a new era of cooperation between the Australian Government, state, territory and local governments, and Australian public universities on matters of Australian foreign policy.
In its international engagement, the Australian Government is sending a clear signal to Russia and its supporters that Russia’s actions will have severe political, economic and reputational consequences. The Australian Government urges all state, territory and local governments and public universities to put on hold existing cooperation with the Russian and Belarusian governments, including Russian and Belarusian subnational government entities, and to reconsider new engagement.
For more information on the Foreign Arrangements Scheme, visit www.foreignarrangements.gov.au or contact the Foreign Arrangements Taskforce in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at foreignarrangements@dfat.gov.au.
Australia’s humanitarian assistance
Australia has provided a total of AUD65 million in humanitarian funding help meet the urgent needs of the Ukrainian people impacted by this unfolding crisis, particularly the most vulnerable. Australia will work through trusted partners to provide humanitarian assistance such as shelter, food, medical care and water. Of this $65 million, $50m is new overseas development assistance.
The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is serious and will rapidly decline as Russian forces take further ground. The United Nations estimates that twelve million people inside Ukraine will need relief and protection, while more than 4.2 million Ukrainian refugees may need protection and assistance in neighbouring countries in the coming months. Most of those fleeing Ukraine are women, girls and boys. Particularly at-risk groups include older persons and persons with disabilities, who may be unable to flee and may struggle to access humanitarian assistance. Even in March, overnight temperatures in Kyiv are often well below freezing and access to heating is becoming a growing problem as critical infrastructure is destroyed.
The Australian Government stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and is working with our development and humanitarian partners to support those in greatest need.
To support those affected by the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and surrounding countries, please donate cash, not goods. Transporting goods to the region is difficult and expensive.
To ensure your donation makes an impact, please choose a reputable charity that is involved in the humanitarian response and relief effort. You can check this via the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Ukraine appeal website. For individuals wanting to support the United Nations Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, their website has more information and is accepting donations. For business interested in supporting the humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis, refer to the United Nations Business Guide. For individuals wanting to support the Emergency Action Alliance, their website has more information and is accepting donations.
For more information on how to donate responsibly, visit donateresponsibly.org.
Media releases and statements
- Additional Sanctions on Russian State-Owned Enterprises, 14 April 2022
- Further Russia Sanctions, 7 April 2022
- Luxury Exports Ban to Russia, 5 April 2022
- Australia to impose tariff increases on all imports from Russia, 31 March 2022
- Statement to the Senate on Ukraine, 30 March 2022
- Australia and the UK work together to get vital aid to Ukraine, 28 March 2022
- Australia places additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus, 25 March 2022
- Additional support to Ukraine, 20 March 2022
- New sanctions on Russian banks and Oligarchs, 18 March 2022
- Australia joins the UK and US in sanctioning key Russian oligarchs, 14 March 2022
- Ukraine update, 11 March 2022
- Statement on Russia’s war on Ukraine and international sport, 9 March 2022
- Further sanctions on Russia, 8 March 2022
- Superannuation fund holdings of Russian assets, 3 March 2022
- Australian support to Ukraine, 1 March 2022
- Economic measures against Russia and lethal military equipment for Ukraine, 28 February 2022
- Statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 24 February 2022
- Australia's response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, 23 February 2022
- Australia condemns Russia's unlawful moves on eastern Ukraine, 22 February 2022
- Attribution to Russia of malicious cyber activity against Ukraine, 20 February 2022