An #Australian #army #reservist has been #charged after allegedly working as a #droneoperator for #Ukraine in the war with #Russia in a rare use of anti-foreign fighter laws, AAP reports.
The 25-year-old man from Adelaide was charged by Australian federal police with working for a foreign military without authorisation. It is the first time someone has been charged with the offence, with the man facing up to two decades in jail if found guilty.
Australian laws limit the work defence personnel can perform with a foreign military, government or company without authorisation.
The man allegedly travelled to Ukraine in May 2025 and returned to Australia in January 2026. The man is due to face Adelaide magistrates court on Tuesday on one count of a restricted individual working for a foreign military organisation or government body.
The maximum penalty for the offence is 20 years in jail.
#auspol What the fuck?!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/apr/07/australia-news-live-cyclone-maila-threat-queensland-road-toll-trump-iran-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-69d454e98f080da25b48c35c#block-69d454e98f080da25b48c35c