Military to remind NZ soldiers of the rules

AUCKLAND: The Defence Force says 94 staff across the whole New Zealand military are on leave without pay, and it does not know how many may be in Ukraine.

It said it has begun contacting all soldiers on leave without pay to remind them they cannot go to Ukraine.

It comes after Dominic Abelen was killed fighting Russian forces while on leave from the army.

Defence Force rules prevented the 28yearold corporal from going to Ukraine, and he had not told them about his plans.

It said no personnel had been approved to enter Ukraine, and none had sought approval to do so.

NZDF said it did not independently track the movements of personnel on leave without pay.

‘‘The NZDF are seeking to do what is practicably possible to reach out to personnel who are on leave without pay to advise of their obligations.

‘‘However, this process relies on the individual in being forthcoming with accurate information.’’

Exsoldier and former mayor of Tauranga Tenby Powell is in Ukraine providing humanitarian aid and helping with the evacuation of civilians.

He was working closely with the Defence Force to bring back the body, he said.

``We need to bring our boy back and reunite him with his family and his country, absolutely, but there's an awful lot that needs to go on before that including getting to him and extracting him from where he is.

``I sincerely hope ... through diplomatic channels, and through other operational channels, [we] find a way to bring him home as soon as possible.''

Ukraine's ambassador to New Zealand Vasyl Myroshnychenko said Cpl Abelen was a hero to the Ukrainian people.

He said his heart went out to Cpl Abelen's family.

``It's really tragic, he died in action courageously defending human rights, defending freedom, defending democracy in Europe.

``He is a hero of the Ukrainian people who will remember him.''

Multiple sources have told RNZ they believe Cpl Abelen's body may be in Russian hands.

In a statement provided to Newshub, the Russian embassy said: ‘‘We do not bear any responsibility for the lives of citizens who decided to take part in what Russia claims are illegal military activities against its forces in Ukraine.

‘‘Please, don’t call Moscow later to help you find out what happened to your citizens.’’

A further response provided to the news outlet stated: ‘‘Any armed activity against Russian military personnel will be cut short immediately, and the armed groups of foreign mercenaries and ‘volunteers’ will be eliminated.’’

The Herald sought comment yesterday evening but was advised the embassy was closed and to call back Monday.

New Zealand Herald/ RNZ