Defence Force in no-man’s land over efforts to recover dead soldier’s body
The Defence Force would have needed to know where its soldiers were in case of an urgent call-up, expert says. By Andre´ Chumko Sinead Gill.
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wo defence experts are puzzled the Defence Force didn’t know one of its soldiers was fighting in Ukraine while on leave.
Corporal Dominic Abelen died in Ukraine while on leave without pay. A former soldier who fought alongside him said he had died while directing and covering fellow fighters during a night-time operation.
It’s uncertain where his body is – with reports that it may be in Russian hands.
The Defence Force yesterday said it had no comment to make, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said it was limited in its ability to comment for operational, security and privacy reasons, but that it was ‘‘engaging with relevant agencies on the ground to work through the most appropriate next steps’’.
Dr Paul Buchanan, a former intelligence and defence policy analyst, said repatriation of Abelen’s body should be straightforward if the body was within the Ukrainian line, and if Abelen had not left wishes to be buried in the grounds he fell in.
If Abelen’s body was behind the Russian line, it may become difficult to locate in the event that the Russians are pushed out.
The Government would undoubtedly be making inquiries with the Russian Embassy, but the Russians may not respond, Buchanan said, noting the process could take weeks, if not months, and there was a possibility the body may never be returned.
Buchanan said the idea that the Defence Force would not have been aware of its soldiers’ whereabouts while on unpaid leave was ‘‘laughable’’. He believed it would need to know their locations, in the event of a rapid call-up.
University of Otago professor Robert Patman, whose research specialises in foreign policy and international relations, also said it was ‘‘puzzling’’ the Defence Force would not be aware of Abelen’s whereabouts.
Abelen’s body was likely behind the Russian line, Patman said. This was problematic, as the Russian Embassy had taken a hard line on not bearing any responsibility for the lives of New Zealand citizens participating in what Russia claims is illegal activity in Ukraine.
Patman said the fact the Defence Force was exploring who else may be fighting in Ukraine on leave suggests there are others like Abelen. There were 94 personnel on leave without pay and the Defence Force was making its way through the list calling them to remind them of their obligations and advising them not to travel to Ukraine. It had no updates on Saturday..
Aaron Wood, co-founder of the No Duff veterans trust, said the Defence Force was ‘‘really in a pickle’’ with the ‘‘incredibly unique situation’’.
‘‘Technically he was a serving soldier, but was on leave. If he died overseas on leave, like any other employer, there would not be any obligation to assist his return. It’s difficult . . . there is almost a societal expectation they would help. He died fighting, but not for New Zealand.’’
Wood was aware there were informal prisoner-of-war and body exchanges between sides, but nothing was certain about the situation involving Abelen.
Around 500 New Zealanders reportedly volunteered to fight for Ukraine earlier this year.
It was not known how many Kiwis were fighting in Ukraine. The Government said it could not protect anyone who went there, but also couldn’t stop people from finding their way to the country.
Personnel were obliged to tell their employer if they were going to countries of risk, such as Ukraine. Anybody who breached that could face disciplinary action.
New Zealand has sent 150 personnel to the UK to train Ukrainian soldiers, 120 of whom were sent in August.
Abelen’s whā nau say he was a brave man who stood up for what he believed in.