‘Deeply sad time’: New Zealand soldier killed in Ukraine while on leave

AUCKLAND: A New Zealand soldier has been killed in Ukraine, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has said.

The soldier, who was on a period of leave without pay at the time, was not on active duty with the NZDF.

‘‘At this early stage, there is still more information to be gathered in order to understand the circumstances fully,’’ the NZDF said in a statement yesterday afternoon.

‘‘The New Zealand Army will work closely with the family of the soldier to offer support at this deeply sad time.’’

Defence Minister Peeni Henare expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the soldier.

‘‘I have been advised the New Zealand Army are supporting the soldier’s family through this difficult time,’’ he said.

It is understood relevant ministers have been briefed but details were scant.

Stuff reported the soldier was based at Burnham, south of Christchurch, home of the 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand

Infantry Regiment.

The war in Ukraine has raged for about six months since Russia invaded.

Most of the Russian and Ukrainian forces are concentrated in the Donbas, the industrial region of mines and factories in the nation’s east.

According to Ukraine’s honorary consul in Auckland, more than 500 New Zealanders had volunteered to fight in Ukraine despite official warnings not to join the war.

It is believed about 20 New Zealanders had remained in Ukraine after Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s warning in February to ‘‘leave immediately’’.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a further 120 infantry personnel would be deployed to the United Kingdom to help train Ukraine soldiers to fight against Russian forces — adding to the 30 personnel sent in May to train Ukrainian military personnel and the more than $40 million provided in financial support.