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ABC News
ABC News
National
political reporter Georgia Hitch

Ukraine invasion: How will Australia respond to the Russian attack?

The Royal Australia Air Force previously transported medical supplies into Ukraine after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014. (Department of Defence)

As allies begin to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the question is fast becoming what kind of support countries will send to help it defend itself. 

Many have already supplied Ukraine with military equipment or other supplies in the lead-up to the conflict.

So what's Australia planning on doing? Here's what we know.

Will we send troops?

The federal government — from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, to Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton — ruled out sending Australian troops over to fight with Ukraine during the conflict.

"We can provide what support we can but we've been very clear the Australian government won't provide troops on the ground," Mr Dutton said earlier this week.

But the government hasn't ruled out sending other things over like "basic" equipment.

What that covers is unclear but it's unlikely to include weapons — Mr Morrison said today that request had not been made of Australia.

"What we are doing is working with them in other ways, which I cannot go into a lot of detail about," he said.

Earlier this week, Mr Morrison said the government would work with its allies "in partnership" and wouldn't pre-empt what we might send.

How else will we help Ukraine?

Other than some kind of equipment, the main way Australia can help, and actually already is helping, Ukraine is by offering cyber security support.

Russia has been blamed for a series of cyber attacks on Ukraine's major banks and government websites in recent weeks.

Senator Payne confirmed Tony Feakin, Australia's ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology, would work with counterparts in Ukraine to help them defend against future attacks.

Security experts have also warned that while Russia may not target Australia directly, we could get caught up as collateral damage if Russia targets other Western countries around the globe.

What about sanctions for Russia?

Imposing more sanctions on Russia is the most likely next move by the government.

Mr Morrison announced the first wave of sanctions on Wednesday, targeting eight Russian individuals and banks in the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

Another 25 individuals have been targeted for sanctions today, including army commanders, deputy defence ministers and Russian mercenaries, as well as four entities involved in the development and sale of military technology and weapons.

And Australia is also looking closely at Russia's 300 members of parliament.

"We've got plenty left in the tank when it comes to further actions we would take if and when the violence is escalated by Russia," Mr Morrison said on Thursday.

It's likely more sweeping and punitive sanctions will come after the United States meets with its G7 partners to agree on punishments against Russia.

Mr Morrison reaffirmed today that while sanctions were unlikely to deter Russia, it sent a clear message from the international community.

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