In Brief:
- The man was arrested following an Australian Federal Police examination of his electronic devices.
- The 25-year-old from Adelaide could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.
An Australian army reservist accused of joining Ukraine's fight against Russia has walked free on bail after facing court.
The 25-year-old has been charged with breaching defence legislation after allegedly serving in Ukraine's military between 20 May 2025 and 14 January 2026 without authorisation.
Australian laws limit the work defence personnel can perform with a foreign military, government or company without authorisation.
The man, who is from Felixstow in Adelaide's east, was charged following an investigation by Australian Federal Police and faced Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, when he was granted bail.
He has been charged with one count of a restricted individual working for a foreign military organisation or government body — which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison — and will return to Adelaide Magistrates Court on May 12.
It is the first time someone has been charged with the offence.
AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a property on Thursday, seizing electronic devices, including a mobile phone and laptop.
Forensic examination of the devices allegedly revealed images showing the man participating in a foreign conflict.
AFP counter terrorism commander Paula Hudson said the agency worked closely with its local, Commonwealth and international partners to protect Australia's interests.
Commenting on the arrest, Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko told AAP that "all Australian engagement with Ukraine's defence must adhere to the requirements of Australian legislation".
In May 2025, Melbourne man Oscar Jenkins was convicted by a Russian court after allegedly joining the fight in Ukraine.
Jenkins was captured in occupied eastern Ukraine and taken into Russian custody in December 2024, and is believed to be the first Australian combatant reportedly captured by Russian forces.
At the time, the Australian government insisted Jenkins was fighting as a member of the Ukrainian defence forces and should be entitled to humane treatment as a prisoner of war. Russia has described him as a mercenary.
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