An Australian fighter has died in Ukraine after defying his family’s wishes and travelling to Eastern Europe to confront Russia.
Brock Greenwood, from Rockhampton in central Queensland, had been a volunteer foreign fighter with the Ukrainian Foreign Legion for the past 15 months.
The 24-year-old’s family was informed on Saturday that he had been killed after he was reportedly hit by Russian artillery.
Although he had no connection to Ukraine and had never held a gun before traveling to Ukraine, Greenwood had wanted to risk his life to help people, according to his heartbroken family.
“He sacrificed his life to help others,” said his sister Kodie Greenwood. 7 News While fighting back tears.
His mother, Cassandra Parker, added: “I was proud of him, I loved him and I will miss him.”
Greenwood’s decision to travel to Ukraine to fight had previously been condemned by his family, who had tried to stop his original plan to leave Australia.
Mr Parker had been living with his mother in Rockhampton when she said his travel plans to Ukraine were initially thwarted by him “missing his flights”.
Brock Greenwood, 24 (pictured), had been a volunteer foreign fighter with the Ukrainian International Foreign Legion for the past 15 months.
Brock Greenwood’s grieving sister Kodie Greenwood (pictured left) and mother Cassandra Parker (pictured right) had tried to stop Parker from travelling to Ukraine.
A few months later, Mr Parker moved to Hervey Bay to live with his father, and took a flight to Melbourne and then on to Poland.
“I found out he was in Poland on April 20 (2023) because someone sent me a picture,” Parker said.
‘The next day he took the train to kyiv.’
Kodie added that her brother was determined to move on.
“Even though we stopped him once, he said, ‘I’m going anyway, but I can’t be around you and Mom because they make me feel guilty and want to stay. But that’s what I want to do,'” she recalled.
“He was truly selfless. He wanted to risk his life to help people.”
Mr. Greenwood, one of five siblings, is remembered for having “a big heart.”
“He wanted to help. He wanted to make a difference,” his mother said.
Ms Greenwood said her only concern about her brother’s determination to fight was that he had no military experience.
She said she had never picked up a gun before going to Ukraine.
“That was what we were really worried about,” he said.
Mr Greenwood’s family (pictured) have set up a GoFundMe to help cover his funeral expenses after he was killed fighting for the Ukrainian Foreign Legion International.
Even with no military experience, Mr Greenwood is believed to have excelled during his training and was appointed leader of the foreign fighter team.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is understood to be providing consular assistance to the family.
The federal government has advised Australians against travelling to Ukraine and has implemented a “do not travel” warning to the war-torn country.
Mr. Greenwood’s family has organised a GoFundMe to help raise funds so the family can give him the farewell he deserves.
“A much loved and missed son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend and loved one,” the page says.
