Support us on Patreon
Eng
Esp
Support us on Patreon

Dominic Abelene, New Zealand soldier in Ukraine’s International Legion, remembered in Kyiv

Friends, fellow soldiers, and comrades gathered in Kyiv to honor Dominic Abelene, a New Zealand soldier who was killed in combat, with a moving Māori dance in tribute to his service in Ukraine.
byOlena Mukhina
11/03/2025
2 minute read
A farewell ceremony for International Legion fighter Dominic Abelene, a New Zealander who was killed on August 23, 2022, during combat in eastern Ukraine. Credit: UkrInform
Dominic Abelene, New Zealand soldier in Ukraine’s International Legion, remembered in Kyiv

In Kyiv, a farewell ceremony was held for International Legion fighter Dominic Abelene, a New Zealand citizen who was killed on 23 August 2022 during combat in eastern Ukraine. The ceremony took place at Baikove Cemetery, according to Ukrinform.

He was one of those soldiers who joined the International Legion of Ukraine, which continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s defense against Russia. Formed in February 2022, the legion has attracted thousands of foreign volunteers from over 50 countries, including the US, UK, and Canada.

Dominic Abelene, a corporal in the New Zealand Army with nine years of service, volunteered to join the International Legion in Ukraine to offer his military expertise and support Ukrainians in their fight against Russian aggression.

In the summer of 2022, Abelene was deployed to the front lines, where he was assigned as a group commander. He died in action in August at the age of 28.

Friends and fellow soldiers attended the ceremony to honor the fallen soldier.

“Dominic was a professional soldier. I served with him in New Zealand, and I’ve known him for years. He was full of life—joyful and combative. He carried the spirit of a warrior throughout his life,” said a comrade known as Panda.

During the ceremony, friends and loved ones of the fallen soldier performed a traditional Māori dance in his honor.

Abelene will be buried in New Zealand.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense awarded him the “Ukraine—Above All” distinction on 8 August 2022 and posthumously received the “For Combat Merits” decoration on 25 August 2022.

In 2024, New Zealand sent an aid package for Ukraine totaling $9.8 million.

“New Zealand understands that although we are far from Ukraine, what is happening there affects all of us, and we are ready to support Ukraine for a long time,” Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon said.

New Zealand allocates $ 9.8 million in aid to Ukraine

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts