Latest news with #NickParsons
7NEWS
12-05-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Australian bomb disposal volunteer killed while working with charity that clears landmines in Ukraine
An Australian man has been killed while volunteering to clear landmines in war-torn Ukraine. Nick Parsons died last week after suffering significant injuries near the city of Izyum in the country's east. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Australian Nick Parsons killed in Ukraine. Exactly what happened is still under investigation, but he was working with UK-based charity Prevail Together as a bomb disposal expert at the time. Parsons was among three people critically injured, with Prevail's British co-founder, Chris Garrett, also dying from his injuries. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his 'deepest condolences and sympathies' to the Australian's family. 'I can confirm he wasn't a participant in the conflict. He was volunteering with a humanitarian organisation and so I do want to remind Australians that Ukraine is a do-not-travel zone,' Albanese 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 said Parsons had been taking part in a 'very important' demining mission. 'We are very thankful to him and for his courageous work in Ukraine,' Myroshnychenko told SBS. 'Demining is one of those areas where your life is 50/50, you can live or you can die, and it's one of those sharp razors that you walk on, and it's very dangerous.' Prevail board member Shaun Pinner said 'our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected'. A statement on Prevail's website said it is still gathering information on the incident and working with police and military to 'uncover the details'. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing support to the family of an Australian killed in Ukraine. 'We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,' it said. 'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.' 'We await a ceasefire' It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey this week. 'We await a ceasefire — this proposal is on the table,' Zelenskyy wrote on X. 'A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could bring peace significantly closer. 'Ukraine has long proposed this, our partners are proposing it, and the whole world is calling for it. 'We await a clear response from Russia. The killings must stop.' Major European powers have pushed the Russian leader to agree to 30-day ceasefire or face new sanctions. 'President Putin of Russia doesn't want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY,' US president Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the US, will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!' Putin sent Russia's armed forces into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering a conflict that has led to significant casualties.
The Age
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Australian charity volunteer killed in Ukraine
An Australian man has died in Ukraine while working for a landmine-clearing charity. Nick Parsons, 28, was volunteering for the mine clearance charity Prevail Together, which helps to disarm landmines, when he was killed in the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region earlier this month. The charity's co-founder, Chris Garrett, a British bomb disposal expert, was also killed in the incident, which severely injured another volunteer. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his 'deepest condolences and sympathies' to 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,' Albanese said at a press conference on Monday. 'The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine, under any circumstances.' Albanese said the government was limited in what it could say publicly about the incident at this time. Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, paid tribute to Parsons, saying he had sacrificed his life on a courageous mission to help the people of Ukraine. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was providing consular support to the Australian man's family.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian charity volunteer killed in Ukraine
An Australian man has died in Ukraine while working for a landmine-clearing charity. Nick Parsons, 28, was volunteering for the mine clearance charity Prevail Together, which helps to disarm landmines, when he was killed in the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region earlier this month. The charity's co-founder, Chris Garrett, a British bomb disposal expert, was also killed in the incident, which severely injured another volunteer. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his 'deepest condolences and sympathies' to 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,' Albanese said at a press conference on Monday. 'The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine, under any circumstances.' Albanese said the government was limited in what it could say publicly about the incident at this time. Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, paid tribute to Parsons, saying he had sacrificed his life on a courageous mission to help the people of Ukraine. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was providing consular support to the Australian man's family.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Australian man dies in Ukraine
An Australian man has died in Ukraine while volunteering with a humanitarian and mine-clearance charity. Nick Parsons was killed last week in an incident at Izyum, in the country's war-torn east, while working with Prevail Together, a US and UK-based group that sends volunteers into Ukraine. In a statement, the charity confirmed the incident, which is still being investigated, had killed its co-founder Chris Garrett. 'On May 6, Prevail received the devastating news that our Founder and Chairman alongside other team members were severely injured in an incident near Izyum,' the statement reads. 'We are still gathering information and working alongside military and police officials to uncover the details. 'We kindly request respect and privacy for the affected families and will provide timely updates when possible.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is 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,' a DFAT spokeswoman said. 'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.' Anthony Albanese, speaking on Monday, did not name Mr Parsons but confirmed he was a volunteer in the conflict and not a participant. 'Out of respect for the family's privacy and consistent with our obligations, there is a limit to what we can say publicly at this time,' the prime minister said. '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. 'The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine, under any circumstances.' NewsWire has contacted Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Myroshnychenko Vasyl for comment. Shaun Pinner, a former British soldier volunteering in Ukraine, said three people had been 'critically injured' in the incident. 'Following up on my previous message: it has now been confirmed that two of the three critically injured individuals have sadly passed away,' he said on X. 'I can confirm that Chris was among those who died. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. 'We deeply appreciate all the support during this difficult time. Prevail will share further updates as soon as we coordinate with the investigation teams over the next 48 hours. 'We can't and will not comment during an ongoing investigation.' A GoFundMe has been established for Mr Garrett, with more than US$46,500 raised as of Monday afternoon. Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the largest land war in Europe since 1945.
Perth Now
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Australian man dies in Ukraine
An Australian man has died in Ukraine while volunteering with a humanitarian and mine-clearance charity. Nick Parsons was killed last week in an incident at Izyum, in the country's war-torn east, while working with Prevail Together, a US and UK-based group that sends volunteers into Ukraine. In a statement, the charity confirmed the incident, which is still being investigated, had killed its co-founder Chris Garrett. 'On May 6, Prevail received the devastating news that our Founder and Chairman alongside other team members were severely injured in an incident near Izyum,' the statement reads. 'We are still gathering information and working alongside military and police officials to uncover the details. The location of Izyum in eastern Ukraine. Google Maps Credit: News Corp Australia 'We kindly request respect and privacy for the affected families and will provide timely updates when possible.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is 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,' a DFAT spokeswoman said. 'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.' Anthony Albanese, speaking on Monday, did not name Mr Parsons but confirmed he was a volunteer in the conflict and not a participant. 'Out of respect for the family's privacy and consistent with our obligations, there is a limit to what we can say publicly at this time,' the prime minister said. '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. 'The situation is extremely dangerous and we continue to strongly advise all Australians not to travel to Ukraine, under any circumstances.' NewsWire has contacted Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Myroshnychenko Vasyl for comment. Shaun Pinner, a former British soldier volunteering in Ukraine, said three people had been 'critically injured' in the incident. Prevail Together organisers volunteers to serve in Ukraine. Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia 'Following up on my previous message: it has now been confirmed that two of the three critically injured individuals have sadly passed away,' he said on X. 'I can confirm that Chris was among those who died. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. 'We deeply appreciate all the support during this difficult time. Prevail will share further updates as soon as we coordinate with the investigation teams over the next 48 hours. 'We can't and will not comment during an ongoing investigation.' A GoFundMe has been established for Mr Garrett, with more than US$46,500 raised as of Monday afternoon. Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the largest land war in Europe since 1945.
