The Australian soldier raining hell on Russia-Ukraine's front line

[@theaustralian]

The Australian soldier raining hell on Russia-Ukraine's front line Ethan McNamara, is the first Australian frontline warrior to speak openly of his fight for Ukraine, is part of a wave of defence personnel using their training in what they see as a just war. Just over a week ago, he was running through a field in a desperate attempt to avoid Russian artillery fire. It’s become a common occurrence for the 24-year-old from Brisbane, who in late September last year travelled to Ukraine to join the fight on the frontline. Now he is a member of the Ukrainian military; second-in-command of a drone reconnaissance and attack unit, part of GUR - a secretive Ukrainian military intelligence service combat unit. Before this, McNamara had never worked with drones, which he says have completely changed the structure of modern warfare. He’s one of about 100 Australians and other foreigners - often former military personnel, some with zero prior combat experience - moved by Ukraine’s plight to go there to help. 📰 Read the full story: bit.ly/467VuFj Connect With The Australian Online 🖥 www.theaustralian.com.au Follow Us: Facebook ► facebook.com/theaustralian Instagram ► bit.ly/39w5T2j Twitter ► twitter.com/australian LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/1008560/admin/feed/posts/ 🎧 Podcast ► www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/the-front/podcast/7e7d42e8c77b597cf8532d2e0c847e10 🎥 Subscribe To Our KZbin Channel: bit.ly/1OT7tw4 #breakingnews #news #headlinenews

[@ryanbayne1033]

They say it's not WW3 and yet there are hearts from most nations choosing a side!

[@WilliamEvans-xy5og]

Many respects Aussies 🇦🇺 from 🇬🇧

[@superkiwistar]

So many owe so much to so few heroes. Thank you for your service, patriot. The Free World needs defending from authoritarian invaders. Well done.

[@mrdeadpool8656]

🤣🤣🤣

[@SamPashmi]

Agreed

[@YaMomsOyster]

Get a grip mate, this is nothing about liberty and spreading freedom. Heroes, lol!

[@superkiwistar]

@@YaMomsOyster yeah, it is about defending the free world. try living in ukraine and russia for a bit and see the difference.

[@jnel2879]

He is no hero - he is a contract killer.

[@JMARTIN1947]

I spent a large part of my life in Australia. I feel like this hero is a brother.

[@jnel2879]

He is no hero - he is a contract killer.

[@waynemartin5247]

I've lived my entire life in Australia. There is no difference between a terrorist and this person. He is a criminal and places himself above the law.

[@millennium677]

@@waynemartin5247 how can you compare this guy to ISIS?

[@juancamilomunozdiaz9377]

@@waynemartin5247 you wouldn't think like that if someone go to your place, rape the womans of your family and then take your property killing who was there.

[@zoom777]

​@@millennium677They both kill civilians

[@glewy89]

My god there is so many Russian bots in this chat

[@John.M99]

Same could be said about you! ;-)

[@John.M99]

@SanctusPaulus-ic5gl another pro Washington troll/bot just like you.

[@stuartmunro2474]

A lot of them are at least marginally human - it's tr0ll or join the doomed human wave attacks on Bakhmut.

[@slicklandy7819]

most are chinese 50 cent, they have to earn a living

[@deborahvenet-sanos8584]

Good on you mate xxxx 🇭🇲 .....Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@RobertWindedahl]

Thanks for joining the fight, mate neutralizes many of those neanderthals is possible God bless you.

[@zoom777]

Keep smoking

[@SamPashmi]

Respect to this man!

[@waynemartin5247]

Why not respect all murderous thugs?

[@SamPashmi]

@@waynemartin5247 if I respected murderous thugs, then I'd be respecting Putler

[@zoom777]

​@@SamPashmikeep smoking

[@SamPashmi]

@@zoom777 don’t embarrass yourself 🤣😂🤣

[@slicklandy7819]

@@waynemartin5247 we don't only orcs and tankies :)

[@RobertWindedahl]

Australia has always been a heroic and great nation god bless them all

[@zoom777]

Specially killing civilians in Afghanistan

[@vorlons100]

and used as gun fodder

[@Mav_F]

@@zoom777 I think the USA Soldiers killed more than any other country in killing Civilians in Afghanistan and killing other soldiers in friendly fire. I think you need to go over there and fight and see for yourself before commenting on anything you actually only hear on the news etc. News loves to lie and loves telling stories bigger than they are. Stupid to think that other countries haven't done the same thing but in bigger numbers than Australians. The USA would be 1000 times more than Australia and other countries have done. War is War and sometimes civilians get killed. Look at this Urkanie and Russian war and Israel and so on. How many Civilians have died? More than a handful that Australian Soldiers have ever killed in Afghanistan.

[@Aquainfinity-bj8hz]

​@@vorlons100 Also the fact that around 70-90 aussies have been at the front in ukraine and its eatimated that only 7 have died so far. I say would be a much better statistic then russias loss / wounded right of ober 700,000.

[@princegabriel4036]

Peace be to Ukraine

[@mikeroo8736]

Well done matey..excellent work

[@cbuh9662]

and if KIA he will be praised as a humanitarian helper

[@chrismills2043]

Wtf he’s just a Aussie helping out mate.grow up

[@gmoney6205]

I thought Australian serving in foreign armies was illegal?

[@waynemartin5247]

Under the Foreign Incursions and Recruitment Act 2009, it is an offence for an Australian citizen or resident to: Induce another person to fight in a foreign war; or Engage in hostile activity in a foreign country; or Provide training or assistance in relation to hostile activity in a foreign country. The Act defines "hostile activity" as "any activity that is intended to, or is capable of, causing harm to a foreign country or its citizens".

[@waynemartin5247]

@SanctusPaulus-ic5gl Is that an opinion, or a delusion?

[@sharpshooter_Aus]

@@waynemartin5247Australians can fight for any foreign military that is operated by the government it’s a crime for us to fight for militias.

[@chrismills2043]

It is and he won’t be allowed back in australia

[@inblack-d9d]

come back home safe and with a victory

[@Mrbuckaroonie..]

Hope you make it back home safe and sound mate. There are two sides in this war and he is on the correct side. Russia needs to get rid of Putin.

[@dm32904]

anothe ghost of kiev

[@AnchorsAweighNarooma]

Stay safe as you can in a war zone, ❤❤❤

[@zabylurt]

Is he going to be charged for entering a foreign country to engage in a hostile activity?

[@waynemartin5247]

If he arrives back in Australia he will be charged Under the Foreign Incursions and Recruitment Act 2009. In the future it's highly probably he will be deported to Russia for crimes relating to terrorism. Many NATO members such as Austria are now in negotiation with Russia to lift sanctions, therefore Russia will seek to have such criminals charged when the peace negotiations take place.

[@fanta_xen5878]

No

[@flowerpower8722]

Someone above states what the law is, so technically could be. However I remember the general public announcement by the PM at the beginning of the war was don't go, for your own well-being. No diplomatic support, no public funds or medical insurance will be supplied - basically 'you're dead to us', because Aus, and all other countries cannot endorse these free spirits, to do so is officially putting boots on the ground, which the country is absolutely not. Having said that because he is fighting for someone his country supports, not an enemy, my guess is, if he doesn't draw too much attention to himself on his return they would probably pretend they don't know about it. Unlike people who fought for isis, an official enemy.

[@MrEnajiza]

Glory to the Warriors of Ukraine..SLAVA UKRAINI...Stay strong Ukraine....🇺🇦✌🇦🇺

[@Jay-ro2vn]

Cringe😂

[@lukei6255]

You realise you put the British colonial flag under which the aboriginals are occupied by the British. Hypocrisy?

[@waynemartin5247]

GTFO Australia, just leave! We are sick of you immigrants!

[@SamPashmi]

Well said

[@zoom777]

​@@waynemartin5247Keep smoking

[@pauljordan7465]

I wish him well, may he survive to tell the whole story. Otherwise just another dead young man. Peace at all cost.

[@lukin4u265]

There will be peace when Moscovy is finally destroyed.

[@mirchmama9051]

Man above keep you safe, strong and victorious!!

[@fanta_xen5878]

You little ripper, we’ll be waiting for you with open arms!!!!! 🇦🇺🇦🇺🦘🦘👏

[@Shining237]

Propaganda

[@JJ_Khailha]

What a life

[@herrdavidw]

What a hero, what an inspiration to the all of us.

[@melwalsh5183]

Bloody ledgend represent Australia what we think of bullies. Stay safe love and respect too you your mates and your family. Walshie Newcastle nsw Australia

[@corvanphoenix]

Good on you mate! Doing us all proud! 🇺🇦🦘♾️

[@notyermonkey2134]

A Key Phrase i get from this is -- "One of the Best Boys I'VE EVER KNOWN" -// I think it takes a "Special" kind of Person to Voluntarily go to WAR. Likely, 3 ""Special"" Sorts: 1) The Glory RAMBO Dreamer an actual Whimp in disguise. 2) the ADVENTURER who see fear only as a shadow. 3) The last, weigh up the Realities of life and understand the ultimate cost of GIVING, is SACRIFICE. They KNOW the most PRECIOUS thing they have to give is ON THE LINE - THEIR LIFE. But they ACCEPT the challenge regardless with HONOUR. // THAT is why they are always the "Best anyone has ever known" HONOUR is a beautiful Human Trait.// I'm sure "LIVE" HEROES here will disagree... but WTF!

[@LeonAust]

Dude the ADF train to protect Australia there is nothing to prove.

[@paulcalder9697]

Just another mercenary for gringing

[@sabitrisugrim9050]

God bless you ,, st Michael please Protect them ??? Bless them ?? Feed them ?? Keep them warm ??

[@mcdlaj9562]

I might need to get involved 😠

[@waynemartin5247]

ISIS pays more

[@petrikehusmaa7909]

The treng is laik finland , with on kopini aild geth the houl brigerd.💪🇺🇦🇫🇮

[@yea0276]

Respect to you Australian brother. You show compassion and you show what a lot of "Aussies" are lacking... warrior spirit.

[@personofearth5076]

A lot of Aussies are lacking????? What country are you from? Let me guess, AMERICA.

[@willhammer8665]

Even the best army is doomed to fail when it is required to perform impossible tasks, that is, when it is ordered to campaign against the national existence of other peoples.

[@jamieanderson7757]

Agree completely. Eastern Ukrainians and pro Russian Ukrainians have a right to independence from a Ukrainian government allied to ultra nationalists that wishes to extinguish their culture and their lives. Like those who burned alive civilian Russian sympathisers in Odessa and murdered thousands of innocent civilians in Donbas in the civil war.

[@waynemartin5247]

Did you mean Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico...etc All of which invaded a foreign nation and slaughtered it's inhabitance, stole the resources and forced most people into torturous life?

[@Trumpistheman1]

Dave my respects for you ( a aussie great)

[@TonyM540]

These hero’s make a big difference, Russia is loosing on land, sea and air. They only have empty threats and conscripts left.

[@AleasBeshoret]

damn you. Western self-selling

[@d00mg1rl]

Raining hell? 🤣 He'll be connan fodder for Ukraine.

[@thinkerly1]

Your Putin through 25 thousand convicts to the dogs of war in Baxmut.

[@richardcalvert2870]

What's the weather like in st Petersburg?

[@slicklandy7819]

cope better orc

[@FlyingFishProductions]

How are the front lines treating you?

[@d00mg1rl]

@@FlyingFishProductions Same as you

[@spikeprotein5924]

You do realise that advertising this man as an Australian soldier indicates Australia’s direct involvement in the war? Russia is likely to take a dim view - they mightn’t get the humour as I do.

[@Matt123a]

Granted, it should say *ex* AU soldier. But I don't think Russia cares about legalities and courts. They'll just kill whoever they want, for whatever purpose, whenever they want.

[@yakivpopavich]

Russian military and government sources already know of his name and personal information, and also the Australian Government has been informed and odds are he will not be allowed to even return to his home country. Becoming a mercenary and killer has a cost.

[@nhudungto]

it's voluntary, he left Australia and he's fighting for Ukraine as an individual, not a government's initiative. And to be honest, what can Russia do about that? initiate a war with Australia? reduce business cooperation with Australia? Australia has been sanctioning Russia for a long time now

[@thinkerly1]

And what the bleep would the Australians care about Russia? Russia has the world's #12 or #13 economy. Smaller than South Korea's.

[@yakivpopavich]

@@thinkerly1 This young man will be deceased soon.

[@robgrady3766]

My mate

[@seckto11]

rest in peace

[@KimberlyOakley-y4j]

albanese is friends with zelensky this makes me friends with Putin. I am american evangelical for Putin.

[@trippypages7309]

💩

[@Andrew-vb9bm]

Lmao imagine thinking youre doing something heroic. All youre doing is providing logistics for the US army.

[@Grynnfynella]

Stay safe digger

[@SimonPaterson-b5c]

WOW, his coward , '' OUR PLANET'' writes a load of codswallop and leaves.

[@baits9301]

He won't be laughing when he gets his legs blown off , You can't beat a super power . The only soldiers you see now are over 50s . Out numbered and out gunned . A toy drone isn't going to do much . looks like propaganda to me .

[@jamieanderson7757]

@@Justanotherhumanonthenet Strategically Russia is the third most powerful nation in the world, behind the US and China. International relations experts refer to it as a "great power". Semantic arguments really but I agree it is not what most people would call a superpower, as the US is called.

[@DropTheMyc]

Rip

[@johnnymojito69]

This bloke is calling people cowards yet has joined the most cowardly type of unit the world has ever seen. Dropping bombs from a drone.

[@keepitsharp7231]

Haha... wow. You donut.

[@zoom777]

Hero.... Killing civilians in Afghanistan 😂😂😂 Let's see if he can be a hero fighting regular army.

[@seanlander9321]

He’s already wiping out criminal Serfs.

[@LeonAust]

A 3 week war Vlad said haha..................your lucky the west is only sending 2nd rate weapons.............things could change and you would face very good western troops and get your arses handed to you. Enjoy the sanctions Vlad🤣

[@zoom777]

​@@seanlander9321Keep sniffing

[@TonyM540]

Not as hard as you think. 15,000 dead orcs in Afghanistan.

[@cafe1234arsenal]

This man should be a comedian.

[@San-nah]

Putin is a comedian and Russia is a joke of the century!

[@innocentbystander8038]

Wearing his issued uniform by the looks

[@shantyclips6358]

He's hot.

[@personofearth5076]

Most of our Australian men are.

[@da3v1ls93]

We need to send more of our mates Aussies in arms and help Israel with their fight against the muzzo terrorists

[@spikeprotein5924]

This is fine comedy, and the light-relief is welcome. Where do I subscribe?

[@thinkerly1]

Comedy? So racist Russia murdering hundreds of thousands of people is funny to you?

[@KangaJack-ns9gd]

Easy, local Ivan recruitment, subs are taken if you have the gonads.

[@YaMomsOyster]

What were you expecting, another panama or Falklands?

[@MrMalmir]

Glory to Russia 🇮🇷🇷🇺

[@MrMalmir]

@SanctusPaulus-ic5gl Why not? they're fighting NATO aggresion pack and already liberated luhansk, dontesk,part of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia , alhamdullah 😍🇮🇷🇷🇺

[@MrMalmir]

@SanctusPaulus-ic5gl Ukrainian regime is armed and funded by all NATO aggresion pack states that's all over news and unofficial reports also says NATO aggresion pack sent military advisers to Ukraine. And yes Russians live in Easteren Ukraine that's why Zelensky regime had air strike on it's own soil long before war ,to eliminate em but Allah is with em . Btw if NATO is that strong why can't defend it's bases from my country Iran?? there's no week without iranian backed milita eliminate dozens of your soldiers in Iraq and Syria.

[@princegabriel4036]

The friendship of Ukraine Russia America is sometimes weird to understand. Three best friends becoming triple allied powers to defend world morality. God bless Ukraine Russia and America the three best countries of world . Wonderful and exciting friendship witnessed.

[@sharpshooter_Aus]

It’s crazy how little you know of ww2 if you think Russia was allied with this allie’s and not working with them out of necessity.

[@yakivpopavich]

What a heroic mercenary. Would be a crying shame if he was one of the many who don't make it back.

[@thinkerly1]

Not a mercenary, Boris. Not like one of the 25 thousand mercs of the Wagner Group, who you lost one month ago.

[@Loreless]

@@thinkerly1 yes he is the australian soldier so Australia fights with Russia

[@slicklandy7819]

cope better orc

[@Viktor_Kucherov]

common guys URKAINE and FREEDOM are opposite things)))) pls dont lie to yourself

[@DNRL_Highlights]

Explain, I’m curious.

[@philipdooley7341]

U may go back home because a war in aisa is not far away China North Korea

[@lgaristo6876]

We hope you brought you own bag we are running out of bag...,!

[@Nixxorz9]

Wait,one of my home country soldiers is in the war?I thought australia was just sending supplies!

[@jamieanderson7757]

What do you mean "just" sending supplies. Australia's helping to pour petrol on the fire that is destroying Ukraine at taxpayer expense: a disgraceful travesty of human values when there are Australians suffering from inadequate government health assistance at home. For example Australia is the only developed nation in the world where trachoma has not been eradicated: children are going permanently blind with trachoma due to lack of clean water supplies. This only requires a government spend of just over $ 2 Billion to fix!

[@SimonPaterson-b5c]

They can go on their own accord if they want.

[@SimonPaterson-b5c]

Obviously, a discharged soldier. you be aware of that?

[@KangaJack-ns9gd]

You are not proud of our diggers standing up like that? We do have quite a small military, but extremely good. You think the government would actually send one single soldier?

[@jamieanderson7757]

@@KangaJack-ns9gd This digger, Ethan McNamara, has deserted Australia to help kill people in a needless bloody war of attrition that's causing immense harm, not just to Ukrainians and Russians, but to the poor and hungry around the world. This war is none of Australia's business and there's nothing remotely patriotic about Ethan's behaviour. He is foolishly and irresponsibly putting the life of an Australian digger at risk: a digger who could instead be contributing as a productive citizen of his home nation.

[@andykeri8370]

Australia currently does not send military personal to combat ,to foreign conflicts as far as i know. So what is the meaning of this confusing footage by The Australian ?

[@TonyM540]

A free person using personal choice to do the right thing. I understand that this is a difficult concept for you. So sit down and have a vodka while you let it sink in.

[@PRASHANTGUPTA-cs6ww]

You'll be buried there

[@TonyM540]

That all you got …….empty threats.

[@PRASHANTGUPTA-cs6ww]

@@TonyM540 go try for yourself

[@robert-h5y8s]

THOSE WHO FIGHT AND RUN AWAY, LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

[@zoom777]

Ukraine is a one way trip.

[@glenbolderson9279]

Propaganda bullshit.

[@ashokindian36]

RIP Australians 😂🎉

[@SimonPaterson-b5c]

Hope he takes a 1000 Bolsheviks with him.

[@ashokindian36]

@@Justanotherhumanonthenet not racist die for no cause only money

[@goodbill55]

Your name is very apt...asookindian.

[@shannonbertram5513]

Get out of there ya flog

[@princegabriel4036]

Peace be to Ukraine