Russian Embassy in Australia Condemns ‘Training Ukrainians to Kill Russians’ Narrative
Dragon Media News Desk
The Russian Embassy in Australia has strongly objected to remarks by Australian military personnel training Ukrainian troops and to the prominent use of those remarks in a media headline, describing the language as hate speech directed against Russians as an ethnic community.
An article published by The Australian on July 15 carried the headline, “We train Ukrainians to be better at killing Russians: ADF troops warn of key shortages.” The article was also republished on the official website of Liberal Senator James Paterson, Australia’s Shadow Minister for Defence.
According to the report, more than 40 Australian Defence Force personnel have been deployed to Camp Jomsborg in Poland to train Ukrainian squad and platoon commanders. The training is intended to improve battlefield decision-making, combat effectiveness and the survival prospects of Ukrainian soldiers.
However, one Australian soldier involved in the programme reportedly said the Ukrainian trainees were there to become “better at killing Russians.” Colonel Peter Allan, who leads the Australian contingent under Operation Kudu, was also quoted as describing the objective as helping Ukrainian personnel survive and fight Russian forces more effectively.
The Russian Embassy objected to the use of such language, arguing that military rhetoric had been presented in a manner that linked the entire Russian ethnic community with a legitimate target for violence.
According to the embassy, repeatedly connecting the words “kill” and “Russians” risks portraying Russians not as individuals but as acceptable objects of violence.
The embassy also criticised the media presentation of the remarks, arguing that responsible journalism should examine the context and social consequences of wartime language rather than amplify inflammatory expressions without critical distance.
Senator Paterson republished the article on his website while arguing that military equipment potentially available to Ukraine should not be destroyed or left unused because of administrative obstacles. He also maintained that a Ukrainian victory was in Australia’s national interest and that a Russian victory would impose long-term costs on other countries.
The Russian Embassy alleged that Ukrainian forces had used foreign military training, equipment and assistance not only in combat operations but also in attacks that had caused Russian civilian casualties.
It argued that governments and military trainers continuing to support Ukraine could not separate themselves from the moral consequences of civilian deaths. These claims represent the official Russian position.
The embassy further warned that normalising such language could contribute to the dehumanisation of Australians of Russian origin and place members of the Russian community at risk.
It also questioned whether such expressions were consistent with Australia’s recently strengthened hate crime legislation.
Australian federal criminal law prohibits, under certain circumstances, the advocacy, encouragement or threat of force or violence against groups or individuals identified by protected characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality, religion and political opinion.
Recent legislative reforms have also strengthened penalties for inciting violence and expanded government powers in relation to hate-motivated activity.
However, whether a media headline or a statement made by military personnel crosses the threshold of criminal hate speech would depend on a legal assessment of its intent, context, target and the likelihood that it could encourage violence.
The Russian Embassy urged Australian media organisations, political leaders and relevant authorities to prevent the spread of language that, in its view, makes violence against Russians appear normal, acceptable or commendable.
