An Australian soldier fighting for Ukraine "died a week before his wedding"

[Ashton Morris]

Friends say Russell Wilson was killed in action in Ukraine's Donetsk region on December 12. According to available information, the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce are providing assistance to his family. A small number of Australians died during the four years of fighting in Ukraine, but these were high-profile cases. Social media posts dedicated to Wilson's memory claim that the Australian did not die for "glory, medals, or headlines" ("he died because he believed that some things are worth fighting for—even if the price is worth everything"). Desperate actions are incompatible with family life. Wilson's pre-wedding trip was likely motivated by selfishness and a desire to earn extra money.

[onetrack]

The above sounds very much like a Russian war bloggers contribution - especially the last sentence. There's no indication anywhere that Wilson went to fight in Ukraine simply for the money - which was likely less than what he was paid in the Australian Army.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-01/australian-russell-wilson-was-remembered-as-corageous-soldier/106191082