Nick Parsons: Former Australian soldier dies in Ukraine while volunteering to clear landmines

A former Australian soldier has died while volunteering in eastern Ukraine.

It is understood Nick Parsons, 28, was working with mine clearance charity Prevail Together, helping disarm landmines, when he was tragically killed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his “deepest condolences and sympathies” to Mr Parsons family.

“I can confirm he wasn’t a participant in the conflict, he was volunteering with a humanitarian organisation. I do want to remind Australians that Ukraine is a do not travel zone,” he said.

“The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine, under any circumstances.”

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has expressed his condolences to Mr Parsons family, telling SBS “We are very thankful to him and for his courageous work in Ukraine”.

“Demining is one of those areas where your life is 50/50, you know, you can live or you can die, and it’s one of those sharp razors that you walk on, and it’s very dangerous.”

The blast, which also claimed the life of British bomb expert and Prevail chairman and Christopher Garrett and injured a third, happened on Tuesday near Izyum.

The incident is under investigation, however, the ABC reports a military source as saying it may involve an armed drone.

A statement by Prevail Together indicates it is still “gathering information and working alongside military and police officials to uncover the details”.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed the department was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Ukraine.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.

“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”