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    Crisis Hub

    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 the UN Charter, international law and the rules-based order.

    Australia is working 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 end this war on its own terms.

    Australia is also providing consular assistance to Australians in Ukraine, including maintaining a registration portal, and monitoring developments to inform travel advice.

    Travel advice and consular assistance

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

    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 is proud to have contributed important defence, economic and emergency humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Australian assistance committed to date totals more than AUD 890 million.

    Australia has committed:

    • more than AUD 710 million in military assistance to Ukraine, including:
      • approximately AUD 33 million for Uncrewed Aerial Systems
      • 120 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, 56 M113 armoured vehicles, 28 M40 medium trucks, M777 Howitzers, anti-armour weapons and a range of personal equipment
      • AUD 24 million to NATO’s Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Trust Fund
      • 105-millimetre light-artillery ammunition
      • 155-millimetre artillery ammunition jointly with France
      • deployment of a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft for approximately 6 months, including the deployment of up to 100 crew and support personnel.
    • AUD 75 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 people and people with disabilities.
    • Duty-free access for Ukrainian imports to Australia (since 4 July 2022).
    • Roughly 80,000 tonnes of thermal coal, worth approximately AUD 33.5 million, to support Ukraine’s energy security.
    • AUD 8.7 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), as well as vital detection and protection equipment worth AUD 686,000 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 150,000 to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Rapid Response Plan to support agricultural production in Ukraine.
    • Technical assistance 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. Since 23 February 2022, the Department of Home Affairs has granted over 10,000 visas to Ukrainians and more than 5,000 Ukrainians with these visas have since arrived in Australia. We are also providing AUD 19.4 million for the allocation of additional temporary visas, extended access to Medicare, and community support.

    Actions against Russia

    Russia must be held accountable for its actions against Ukraine’s sovereignty, the rule of law and the UN Charter.  Australia has:

    • Imposed more than 1100 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 and gas
      • import of Russian gold
      • export of alumina and bauxite to Russia
      • export of certain luxury goods to Russia, including wine and cosmetics.
    • Announced a ban on the export of all machinery and related parts to Russia and areas temporarily under Russian control.
    • 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, including
      • working with partners to exclude or confront Russia and highlight the negative global effects of its invasion of Ukraine in key multilateral fora (G20, APEC, UN)
      • supporting relevant UN resolutions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including in the General Assembly
    • Supported legal mechanisms to hold Russia to account, including by
      • 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
      • intervening at the International Court of Justice in support of Ukraine in its case against Russia
      • committing AUD 1 million and three professional staff to the International Criminal Court, including to support its investigation into the situation in Ukraine.

    Advice for Australians who want to help

    As the Ukrainian people continue to suffer from the devastating impacts of Russia’s unprovoked aggression, 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. Learn more about the benefits of donating money.

    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 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.

    For more information see the Foreign Arrangements Scheme or contact the Foreign Arrangements Taskforce 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. The United Nations estimates that more than seventeen million people inside Ukraine are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with millions of Ukrainian refugees needing protection and assistance in neighbouring countries. 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.

    Media releases and statements

    More information

    The Australian Embassy, Ukraine

    The Australian Embassy, Russia

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