Dominic Abelen

"I'm extremely proud of my children and especially Dominic for standing up and doing what he thought was right."

The family of soldier Dominic Abelen, who was killed while fighting in Ukraine, says their hearts are broken and that Dom "sacrificed his life for others to ...

Three days earlier, it [recognised two separatist states in the Donbas region](https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/300523215/kremlin-says-moscow-will-see-two-ukrainian-regions-as-independent-a-potential-pretext-for-war) and troops were deployed. He was also well-trained for the type of work he was doing. He died in action courageously defending the precious values of freedom, human rights and democracy in Europe. Ukraine ambassador to New Zealand Vasyl Myroshnychenko said: “I express the condolences to the family and loved ones of Dominic Abelen. The Guardian reported president Volodymyr Zelenskyy as saying: “[Independence Day] is an important day for all of us. Unfortunately, whilst directing the team and covering them, he was killed instantly. He sacrificed his life for others to have a life,” one of his siblings shared in a statement. He was in the Burnham-based Royal NZ Infantry Regiment’s 2/1 Battalion, and had served in the Defence Force for 10 years. “Dominic, my brother is more than just another soldier, he is the most bold, brave and beautiful human with the quickest wit and freely given laugh. He also knew the risks of going there but still went to fight for them. We are concentrating our efforts on supporting Corporal Abelen’s loved ones and our personnel as they grieve,” she said. “He leaves a massive hole in all our hearts.”

A Kiwi soldier killed in Ukraine was fighting alongside other foreign troops trying to re-take an enemy trench, it has emerged. Dominic Bryce Abelen was on.

"He would've known the risks and had been there a while... and the fact that he stayed, he was comfortable with it." "We know that one of the highest priorities for Ukraine right now, is to train its soldiers, and New Zealand is proud to stand in solidarity alongside a number of other countries to answer that call." The number at "the tip of the spear" like Abelen numbered "in the very low tens", Wood said, along with doctors, medics, and others in support. It's not clear how long he had been in the country but he had been with other Kiwis and already been engaged in other "contacts" with the enemy. He had been fighting with Ukraine's International Legion on the frontline in the east of the war-torn country.

New Zealand has committed to sending 150 Defence Force personnel to the UK to help train Ukraine soldiers and more than $40 million in financial support.

Ukraine has vowed to drive the Russians from the territory they have seized since the start of the invasion. "We are determined to bring him out. We need to do this in a very respectful and expedient manner. I have given the family my assurances that he will be well looked after all the way back. You have left a hole that we are feeling and we could never hope to ever fill." "The critically important thing is to ensure that he is recovered and brought back in a way where he is looked after for the entire trip back to New Zealand." He intended to drape the coffin in a New Zealand flag for the trip home and make sure the soldier had all the care a person serving in the defence force warranted. A separate eight-person NZDF team of logistic specialists were also sent over to support the international donor coordination centre in Germany with the flow of aid and supplies to Ukraine. "We will miss you brother. Former New Zealand Defence force commanding officer Tenby Powell, who is in Ukraine undertaking humanitarian work, said he had been asked by the family of the dead soldier to bring him back to New Zealand. "The New Zealand Army will work closely with the family of the soldier to offer support at this deeply sad time." "At this early stage, there is still more information to be gathered in order to understand the circumstances fully," NZDF said in a statement.

He was based at Burnham Military Camp outside of Christchurch with the 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Regiment. Abelen's family, when approached by the ...

"He would've known the risks and had been there a while... and the fact that he stayed, he was comfortable with it." "We know that one of the highest priorities for Ukraine right now, is to train its soldiers, and New Zealand is proud to stand in solidarity alongside a number of other countries to answer that call." The number at "the tip of the spear" like Abelen numbered "in the very low tens", Wood said, along with doctors, medics, and others in support. It's not clear how long he had been in the country but he had been with other Kiwis and already been engaged in other "contacts" with the enemy. He had been fighting with Ukraine's International Legion on the frontline in the east of the war-torn country.

Tributes paid to Dominic Abelen, the first New Zealander to die in the conflict, who was on leave without pay from the defence force.

But an international law professor said Abelen’s death might prompt questions about whether more should be done to deter New Zealanders from travelling to fight in Ukraine. But its statement said that it still considered those soldiers to be in active service. He had not told the defence force he was travelling to Ukraine or sought its permission. They would not say how long Abelen had been in Ukraine, but it is understood to have been some months. Abelen had previously deployed to Iraq and was based in Christchurch before he left for “He knew we would talk him out of it.

NZDF 'warrior' soldier was off-duty on unpaid leave.

"He would've known the risks and had been there a while... and the fact that he stayed, he was comfortable with it." You have left a hole that we are feeling and we could never hope to ever fill." Decisions to go there were made by the people themselves. "We will miss you brother. While he was not willing to go into details about the circumstances of the soldier's death he told Today FM the family were distraught. Dominic Bryce Abelen was on leave away from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and was not on active duty when he was Mahuta confirmed the Government would be supporting Abelen's return and considered him a citizen and not a solider given he was on leave. Mahuta was clear the travel advisory was not to go to Ukraine. He said the focus now was to regenerate the defence force workforce Mahuta said Abelen was someone who was on leave and not representing New Zealand or the defence force. Henare was advised that no NZDF people on leave would be travelling to Ukraine and that option was banned by the defence force.

The off-duty Kiwi soldier killed in Ukraine never told his family he was going off to fight, his father said today while paying tribute to a "kind, ...

"He would've known the risks and had been there a while... and the fact that he stayed, he was comfortable with it." You have left a hole that we are feeling and we could never hope to ever fill." He will be missed, but also remembered long into the future," Neale said. He took the army brotherhood to a new level, showing it's not about how hard you are but how hard you work. Another said: "Dominic, my brother is more than just another soldier, he is the most bold, brave and beautiful human with the quickest wit and freely given laugh. We are concentrating our efforts on supporting Corporal Abelen's loved ones and our personnel as they grieve," she said. Not only was he my big brother, my role model, my support, but he was for many others too. He spent his holidays travelling around New Zealand and the world. "He was a standard high achiever in all aspects of life. "I am so proud to call you my brother, I knew you always wanted to risk your life for what you believe in. "He didn't tell us he was going to Ukraine until he was there.

There are conflicting reports surrounding the whereabouts of the body of soldier Dominic Abelen, who was killed while fighting on Ukraine's Eastern front.

He also knew the risks of going there but still went to fight for them. The Defence Force requires serving soldier intending to travel to Ukraine, even when on leave, to seek approval. Speaking to media on Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said the Government would work alongside consular support and the Ukrainian Government to help repatriate Abelen's body. While directing the team and covering them, [the 28-year-old was killed instantly](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300670217/always-thinking-of-helping-others-father-of-soldier-killed-in-ukraine-gives-heartfelt-tr). He had served in the Defence Force for 10 years, and was not on active duty when he was killed at the eastern front while fighting for the Ukraine foreign legion. He knew we would talk him out of it. The ministry had no comment to make at this stage. * "He didn't tell us he was going to Ukraine until he was there.

The passing of Dominic Abelen, the New Zealand soldier killed while on leave without pay in the Ukraine, highlights the need for greater support for Defence ...

The RSA was built by New Zealanders ready to lend a helping hand to those who are suffering, and that is what we will continue to do." The RSA is ready to support anyone who finds themselves struggling with his loss over the coming days, and years to follow. The RSA was set up following the First World War to support service personnel, the families of those who never returned, and those who struggled to re-integrate back into normal society.