The friend of an Australian man killed in Ukraine has described him as a brave soldier who died in a mortar attack while trying to fight Russian forces in Ukraine's Donbas region.
Speaking from Taiwan, Tony Lu said he fought alongside Australian Trevor Kjeldal for three months in the eastern city of Izium with other foreign fighters.
Mr Lu has since returned to Taipei and told the ABC that he learned of Mr Kjeldal's death from other members of their unit, who said he was one of 20 to 30 fighters killed or injured in a Russian assault.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed Mr Kjeldal's death and said officials were providing his family with consular assistance.
In a statement released on Saturday, Mr Kjeldal's family said he was "very treasured and loved" and thanked consular officials for their help in bringing him home to Australia.
"Our depth of sadness at his loss is unfathomable," the statement added.
Mr Lu said he and Mr Kjeldal responded to calls for international help in defending Ukraine from the Russian invasion.
He said they received around one month's weapons and combat training in the capital Kyiv before heading to the front line.
Mr Lu said Mr Kjeldal saved his life on at least one occasion.
"Under barrage from artillery and tanks, Trevor pretty much got him to get into the trenches, so he wouldn't be blown up or shrapnel would not kill him," said Richard Limon, a former member of the United States Marine Corps Military Police, who acted as Mr Lu's translator.
Mr Lu said Mr Kjeldal was known among fellow fighters as "Ninja" because he was a fan of Japanese manga culture.
They bonded because Mr Lu had lived in Australia and Mr Kjeldal spoke Mandarin.
Third Australian killed in Ukraine
On Sunday, Ukrainian-Australian community organisations lauded Mr Kjeldal's "bravery and courage".
In a joint statement, the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and the Ukrainian Community of Queensland (UCQ) said they were "greatly saddened" to learn of his death.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his sympathies to Mr Kjeldal's family but warned Australians against joining the conflict.
"I remind people that the DFAT advice is for people to not travel to Ukraine. It is a dangerous place."
"But my heart goes out to the family and friends of the gentleman involved."
Mr Kjeldal is the third Australian known to have died in Ukraine.
Queensland man Jed William Danahay was killed in eastern Ukraine on August 24 while working as a combat medic.
Tasmanian man Michael O'Neill was believed to be providing humanitarian assistance in Ukraine when he was wounded and died in May.
The federal government has a standard "do not travel" warning in place for Ukraine.
The law prohibits Australian citizens, Australian residents and holders of Australian visas from engaging in hostile activities overseas unless serving in, or with, the armed forces of a foreign country.
Australians who travel to fight with a non-government armed group on either side of the Russian invasion of Ukraine may be committing a criminal offence.
