On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Many countries, including Australia, declared their support for Ukraine, and have provided a range of humanitarian, financial and military aid over the last four years.
Operation Kudu was established in early 2023 as the Australian Defence Force contribution to the British-led multinational Operation Interflex, which trains and supports Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel in the United Kingdom. Thousands of Ukrainians have received military training and knowledge through introductory recruit training and junior leadership courses.
Ukrainian trainees, urged on by an Australian instructor, begin the Battle Inoculation course. Photograph by David Whittaker
Australian soldiers demonstrate trench warfare tactics. Photograph by Corporal Jonathan Goedhart. Courtesy of Department of Defence, 20230210adf8583067_0506
It’s our responsibility that, regardless of background, all the recruits in our company come out with the same basic military tactics and skills to adequately defend themselves, their mates and their sovereignty.
Major Greg Sargeant, Australian Army
Ground crew from No. 2 Squadron RAAF use a de-icing machine to prepare for a flight. Photograph by Leading Aircraftman Adam Abela. Courtesy of Department of Defence, 20231127adf8658961_0810
In November 2023, the Australian War Memorial sent several staff members and an official war artist to visit the Australian Army personnel deployed on Operation Kudu. The curatorial visit generated a vast amount of material – approximately 1200 photographs, 600 videos, and more than 100 objects entered the National Collection. This material formed the foundation of the Memorial’s new temporary exhibition Operation Kudu: supporting Ukraine.
With extensive use of imagery, paired with a range of small personal objects and first-person voices, the exhibition seeks to provide an Australian perspective on a contemporary and ongoing war. Despite not having “boots on the ground” in the actual conflict zone, Australian service personnel are making a small but valuable contribution teaching Ukrainians about a range of modern warfare topics, such as weapons handling, tactical operations, combat casualty care, trench and urban warfare.
Surveillance and control officers monitor their terminals during a surveillance flight of the RAAF E-7A Wedgetail aircraft. Photograph by Corporal Nicole Dorrett. Courtesy of Department of Defence, 20240318adf8614011_0121
A Ukrainian trainee and an Australian corporal peer through a window during an urban training exercise. Photograph by David Whittaker.
[We] use sound effects and everyone is yelling and screaming to show them what a real battle would actually sound like... if they've trained for the worst, when the best comes, it's easy.
Corporal Lucy Andrew, Australian Army
Since its inception, Operation Kudu has expanded to also include the deployment of a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft and crew to Europe to support the multinational effort to provide early warning for potential threats from outside Ukraine.
Ukrainian trainees and an Australian instructor huddle behind rubble and prepare to assault a building. Photograph by Blake Singley
To actually deploy and put my training into practice on operations, that's the pinnacle of being at the squadron.
Leading Aircraftman Mathew Wilkin-Cooper, RAAF
An Australian soldier wears an Operation Kudu patch and a braided Ukrainian friendship bracelet. Photograph by David Whittaker. AWM2023.972.1.162
Ukrainian trainees practice rifle drills. Photograph by David Whittaker
It also includes efforts to provide and transport military and humanitarian supplies and equipment to Europe, for onward transport to Ukraine. The exhibition also explores these aspects of Operation Kudu, with generous support and imagery from the Australian Defence Force.
Operation Kudu: supporting Ukraine is currently on display in the Anzac Hall Mezzanine. Learn more about the exhibition.
