An Australian man has died while working for a humanitarian organization in Ukraine. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the death of the 28-year-old former soldier and expressed his condolences to the man’s family and friends. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) is assisting the family but has withheld the man’s name out of respect for their privacy.

Albanese stated that the man was not a participant in the conflict but was volunteering with a humanitarian organization. He reiterated that Ukraine remains a “do not travel zone” and advised Australians against traveling there under any circumstances.

Reports indicate the man died last week from injuries sustained near Izium in eastern Ukraine. He was working for Prevail, a humanitarian NGO focused on clearing landmines. Prevail had previously reported that its founder and chair, along with other team members, were “severely injured” in an incident near Izium. Shaun Pinner, a former British soldier and Prevail board member, stated that two of the injured had died, including Prevail’s founder and chair, Chris Garrett. Garrett was identified as an explosive ordnance disposal expert who died while disabling an explosive device.

A fundraiser has been established to support Garrett’s family. Dfat has confirmed they are providing consular assistance to the family of the deceased Australian but cannot provide further details due to privacy obligations.