An Australian man killed last month while helping Ukraine's war effort declared how he wanted Russian forces "eradicated" from the country, just days before he too died in the conflict.
In May, Tasmanian father Michael O'Neill became the first known Australian to die while assisting Ukraine, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as a "tragedy".
Relatives say the 47-year-old joined a humanitarian organisation in March because he saw a desperate need for help in Ukraine.
Video has now emerged of Mr O'Neill recorded last month in which he describes his motivation for travelling to Europe after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"They need a hand, so I threw my job in, I had a really good job, I just jumped on the plane and came."
The Tasmanian father describes how he was briefly detained after flying into Germany, but eventually made his way to Ukraine after travelling via the United Kingdom.
Interview recorded days before death
In the interview recorded just days before his death, he says he wants to see the Russian military "eradicated" from Ukraine because of its war crimes.
During the brief segment, Mr O'Neill is dressed in the uniform of Ukraine's Foreign Legion and seated next to another international volunteer who is also holding a firearm.
The Australian government has repeatedly warned Australians against joining the war against Russia, after Ukraine's President established a foreign legion in February.
Government sources have told the ABC that as many as 200 Australian citizens and Ukrainian dual nationals are believed to have travelled to Europe to join the war effort, although no official figure has been released.
Earlier this month, a video emerged of another Australian describing his decision to serve with Ukraine's Foreign Legion on the frontline.
