Aussie faces 20 years in jail for allegedly fighting in Ukraine without authorisation

Published: 01:54, 7 April 2026 | Updated: 02:14, 7 April 2026 An Australian Army reservist could face 20 years in jail after allegedly fighting in Ukraine last year without authorisation. Vincent Tran, 25, was arrested at a home in Felixstow, in Adelaide's north-east on Thursday, where Australian Federal Police officers seized several electronic devices, including a mobile phone and laptop. He has been charged with one count of foreign work restricted individual working for a Foreign Military Organisation or Government Body, which has a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment. This is the first time the AFP has charged someone with this offence.  Police allege Tran travelled to Ukraine in May 2025 to serve as a drone operator for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the war with Russia without authorisation. He is believed to have returned to Australia in January. Defence legislation regulates the work certain individuals can perform for a foreign military, government or company without authorisation. AFP officers began investigating the man after receiving a referral from Defence alleging Tran had worked for a foreign military without authorisation. Vincent Tran was arrested after allegedly fighting in Ukraine last year without authorisation He allegedly served as a drone operator for Ukraine's armed forces last year before returning (pictured - debris of a residential district after Russian drone-and-missile attack in Ukraine) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been under increasing pressure from Putin to withdraw Ukraine from the remaining territory it controls in Donetsk in exchange for ending the 'hot phase' of the war Police allege forensic examination of the seized devices allegedly identified images linking the man to participation in a foreign conflict, with further forensic analysis to come. Tran is due to front Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday. AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Paula Hudson said the AFP worked closely with its local, Commonwealth and international partners to protect Australia’s interests. The AFP have now urged anyone with information about individuals with sensitive Defence knowledge intending to work for a foreign military or government body, or who have done so without authorisation, to contact the National Security Hotline  on 1800 123 400. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.