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Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Overview

On 24 February 2022, Russia began its unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Australia unequivocally supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. As a true and reliable partner, we continue to play our part to uphold international law and the rules-based order.

Australia is working closely with our partners to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its illegal and immoral invasion. Australia's objective, along with our partners, is to empower Ukraine to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

Australia monitors developments to inform travel advice.

Travel advice and consular assistance

Australians should follow the latest travel advice for Ukraine, Russia and Belarus:

Our ability to provide consular assistance in Ukraine is severely limited. Due to the security situation in Ukraine, and restrictions on public entry to the building the Australian Embassy jointly occupies, we are not currently providing in-person consular or passport services. The Australian Government continues to advise do not travel to Ukraine due to the volatile security environment and military conflict.

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.

Australia's response to Russia's invasion

Actions to support Ukraine

Australia has contributed important defence, economic, energy and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Australian support committed to date totals more than AUD 1.5 billion.

Australia has committed:

  • more than AUD 1.3 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, including through:
    • 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks worth approximately AUD 245 million
    • AUD 250 million in materiel comprising air defence missiles, air-to-ground and anti-tank weapons, and artillery, mortar, cannon, and small arms ammunition, together with boots,
    • vehicles, including 120 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, 56 M113 armoured vehicles, and 28 M40 medium trucks,
    • M777 Howitzers and artillery ammunition, including under a partnership arrangement with France,
    • AUD 102 million sourced from Australian Defence Industry, including for drones, counter-drone systems, deployable 3D Printers and accessories, portable X-Ray machines, and soldier personal combat equipment, and
    • financial contributions, including AUD 50 million to the International Fund for Ukraine, directly supporting the procurement of priority military capabilities and AUD 24 million to NATO's Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Trust Fund.
  • Under Operation KUDU, the Australian Defence Force continues to make an invaluable contribution through:
    • the training of Ukrainian Armed Forces Personnel in the United Kingdom as part of a UK-led multinational effort
    • the rotational Support and Response Team (SRT) deployment of Australian Defence Force personnel to Europe to support the delivery of Australian military assistance and contribute to partner led efforts, including contributing embedded personnel to NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) initiative and the US-led Security Assistance Group – Ukraine.
  • Working with partners to support Ukraine's military capabilities as a member of the UK and Latvia jointly-led Drone Capability Coalition and NATO's new security and training initiative for Ukraine as an operational partner.
  • Joined the Ukraine and Canada jointly-led International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children (30 October 2024). 
  • AUD 66 million to the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development to assist with Ukraine’s vital recovery and reconstruction efforts.
  • AUD 85 million in humanitarian assistance to help meet the urgent needs of the Ukrainian people, with a particular focus on at-risk groups, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
  • AUD 30 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and roughly 80,000 tonnes of thermal coal to support Ukraine's energy security.
  • AUD 2 million to the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) for emergency response and disability inclusion programs in Ukraine.
  • Duty-free access for Ukrainian imports to Australia (since 4 July 2022)
    • this measure has been extended until 3 July 2026.
  • AUD 9.4 million to assist Ukraine's State Border Guard Service to upgrade border management equipment, improve cyber security and enhance border operations.
  • AUD 1 million to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to support the Agency's response to the situation in Ukraine.
  • AUD 800,000 worth of vital detection and protection equipment to Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate (through the IAEA), to help ensure the safe and secure operation of nuclear facilities.
  • AUD 200,000 to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to help protect against chemical attacks.
  • AUD 200,000 to the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors to offer professional development to 7 Ukrainian mental health professionals.
  • AUD 150,000 to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Rapid Response Plan to support agricultural production in Ukraine.
  • AUD 80,000 to Ukrainian community organisation ‘Save Ukraine’, which supports Ukrainian families and children affected by the conflict.
  • Technical assistance through the Australian Taxation Office to help Ukraine protect its revenue base, in partnership with the World Bank and OECD.

To support Ukrainian nationals taking refuge in Australia, we have prioritised visa applications from Ukrainian nationals, particularly those with Australian connections. As of 31 December 2024, the Department of Home Affairs has granted almost 20,900 visas to Ukrainians and more than 18,300 Ukrainians with these visas have since arrived in Australia. We are also providing $21.3 million for the allocation of additional temporary visas, extended access to Medicare, and community support.

Actions to impose costs on Russia

Russia must pay a heavy price for its actions against Ukraine’s sovereignty, the rule of law and the UN Charter. Australia has imposed a comprehensive suite of measures against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

Australia has:

  • Imposed more than 1,400 targeted financial sanctions against persons and entities supporting Russia's illegal invasion (see more information on Australia's autonomous sanctions regime).
  • Imposed trade sanctions banning the:
    • import of Russian oil, refined petroleum products, coal, gas and gold
    • export to Russia of alumina and bauxite, and certain luxury goods, including wine and cosmetics
    • export to Russia and areas under temporary Russian control of all machinery and related parts, and unmanned aerial vehicles and their components
  • Denied Russia access to most-favoured-nation tariff treatment and imposed an additional tariff of 35 per cent on goods produced or manufactured by Russia or Belarus.
  • Implemented the G7+ price caps on Russian oil and refined petroleum products.
  • Directed Export Finance Australia to reject any requests for loans or other finance that support trade with, or investment in, Russia or Belarus.
  • Shared, through AUSTRAC, information on Russian financial crime with Ukrainian and other international counterparts and worked domestically to freeze Russian assets.
  • Worked with partners to impose costs on Russia and Belarus in the multilateral system and ensure that the invasion of Ukraine has severe consequences for their global standing and influence, including
    • confronting Russia, calling out its disinformation and highlighting the negative global effects of its invasion of Ukraine across the full breadth of multilateral institutions (G20, IAEA, OPCW, ASEAN etc)
    • supporting relevant joint statements and resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including in the UN General Assembly (Australia has supported all UN emergency special session resolutions).
  • Supported legal mechanisms to hold Russia to account, including by
    • intervening at the International Court of Justice in support of Ukraine in its case against Russia
    • joining 42 States referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court and committing AUD 1 million and three professional staff to the Court, including to support its investigation into the situation in Ukraine
    • joining the Core Group on the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, to consider options for holding Russia's political and military leadership to account.
       

Advice for Australians who want to help

As the Ukrainian people continue to suffer from the devastating impacts of Russia's invasion, we understand that Australians may wish to materially help.

The most effective way to deliver assistance is to donate money to a reputable organisation which has an established presence in the affected area. Donations of money provide flexibility, providing relief organisations on the ground with a greater ability to adapt their responses to evolving needs.

See more information on Australian NGOs operating in Ukraine.

Bilateral engagement with Russia and Belarus

The Australian Government has limited all bilateral cooperation with Russia and Belarus since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Australia only engages bilaterally with Russia and Belarus when it is critical to delivering on our national interests, such as safety of Australian citizens, security and ongoing operations of our diplomatic presence in Russia.

The Australian Government has asked all state, territory and local governments and public universities to put on hold existing bilateral cooperation with the Russian and Belarusian governments, including Russian and Belarusian subnational government entities, and to reconsider new engagement.

From 4 December 2024, new rules under the Foreign Arrangements Scheme require that any new arrangements between Australian sub-national governments or universities, and universities in Russia or Belarus, must be notified.

For more information see the Foreign Arrangements Scheme or contact the Foreign Arrangements Branch in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at foreignarrangements@dfat.gov.au.

Humanitarian situation in Ukraine

The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is serious and deteriorating, with Russian strikes targeting energy generation, distribution and critical infrastructure. The United Nations estimates that nearly thirteen million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance. This includes nearly 3 million people internally displaced. Over 6.8 million people have sought refuge globally. Most of those who have fled Ukraine are women and children. Particularly vulnerable groups who may be unable to flee and may struggle to access humanitarian assistance include older persons and persons with disabilities.

Media releases and statements

More information

The Australian Embassy, Ukraine

The Australian Embassy, Russia

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