An Australian man killed during fighting in eastern Ukraine has been hailed as a hero by Ukraine's ambassador to Australia.
Jed William Danahay, 27, from Nanango in southern Queensland was killed in the town of Izyum on August 24 while working as a combat medic.
A family spokesperson said at the time of his death, Mr Danahay was driving a medical vehicle which was targeted by Russian forces.
"Jed lived his life trying to help other people. In his short time on this earth, Jed did more things than most of us will ever do in a lifetime," the spokesperson said.
"He dog-sledded in the Arctic Circle under the northern lights, he journeyed through Europe and saw North America ... Jed had friends across the globe and will be sorely missed."
Unit's backbone
His family said Mr Danahay's comrades in Ukraine described him as the backbone of their unit, a hero and someone with whom they could all trust their lives.
"Jed died doing what he believed in, helping people who needed it," the family spokesperson said.
"He was at his heart an optimist and always believed that things should be better."
Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, called Mr Danahay a hero for his service to Ukraine.
"I would like to commend Jed for his courage, his bravery for not sitting there, complacent, watching this war unfold in Europe," he said.
"He was there, he wanted to get involved. He wanted to help Ukraine and his work, his service for Ukraine, for Europe and for the world will never be forgotten."
Mr Myroshnychenko says Mr Danahay is the second Australian he is aware of to be killed in Ukraine, after Tasmanian man Michael O'Neill perished there earlier this year.
"My Facebook every day is an obituary ... every day I read about people getting killed and it's very tragic," he said.
He said he was thankful for Mr Danahay's service and offered his condolences to the man's family.
Heroic sacrifice
"He made the biggest sacrifice any man can make is his life and you must be really proud of your son ... he's a hero in Ukraine," Mr Myroshnychenko said.
Mr Danahay is survived by his mother, father and two older brothers.
"We would appreciate during this hard time if the media respected our privacy and if anyone wants to help, we encourage them to support the Ukrainian people," the family spokesperson said.
Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) say consular assistance is being provided to Mr Danahay's family.
DFAT's travel advice for Ukraine remains at "do not travel" and the Department says its ability to provide consular assistance is extremely limited.
