The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine thanked Australia for its support and assistance to Ukraine in the war against the Russian invaders, speaking highly of the Australian-made Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles “efficiently used by assault units in the area of Bakhmut.”
“These vehicles have performed well as a means of infantry transportation and evacuation,” said Andriy, an AFU serviceman, quoted in the post. “They are quite maneuverable and cross-country, which is important for fulfilling combat missions. And they help save the lives of our boys. We thank our partners for their help!”
Thanks should also go to the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO), which has been tirelessly pushing for more and faster military aid to Ukraine.
Says Stefan Romaniw, AFUO Co-chair and UWC Vice President, who accompanied Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his visit to Kyiv on July 3, 2022, when the latter announced a supply of additional 20 Bushmasters to Ukraine:
“The task of the Ukrainian diaspora at this time of war with the Russian aggressor is to do continuous advocacy, particularly through the Ukrainian World Congress, so that governments provide all necessary military assistance to Ukraine on its way to victory.
“It is essential that these appeals are coordinated. Therefore, the AFUO Board, through their channels and in conjunction with the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia, urged the Australian government to supply Ukraine with Bushmasters, and now also with the state-of-the-art Hawkei protected mobility vehicles.
“The ‘Give Ukraine Hawkeis’ campaign was launched jointly by the AFUO, representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, who visited Australia, and the Ukrainian ambassador to the country. The Hawkeis are needed now! Australians will be proud of how Ukrainians will use them.
“We must act immediately!”
AFUO Co-chair and UWC Vice President Stefan Romaniw (second from left) and Australian PM Anthony Albanese (third from left) in Kyiv on July 3, 2022
