Ivano-Frankivsk bids farewell to an Australian who died fighting for Ukraine
In Ivano-Frankivsk, a farewell was held for 26-year-old Australian Samuel Michael Pedrazzini, who died defending Ukraine. After serving in the Australian Army, he came to help Ukrainians as a volunteer and later joined the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During his lifetime, the soldier dreamed of staying in Ukraine, and after his death, he was buried here—such was his final wish.
In Ivano-Frankivsk, a funeral was held for 26-year-old Samuel Michael Pedrazzini—a volunteer from Australia who was killed while carrying out a combat mission in the Donetsk region. After serving in the Australian Army, Samuel decided to dedicate himself to helping Ukraine. He initially worked as a volunteer medic and later joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces.
The commander of the foreign contingent of the 3rd Special Operations Regiment, call sign “Alex,” said that Samuel was originally from Lismore and joined the unit in May 2026. Prior to that, he had served in the Australian Army, received extensive military training, and worked as a combat medic. He was also skilled as a machine-gunner and marksman, so he quickly became a full-fledged member of the unit. “He loved Ukraine very much and wanted to stay here. He wanted to fight for its freedom and, after victory, become part of Ukrainian society,” the commander said.
According to him, on June 13, during a sweep of a settlement in the Donetsk region, Samuel approached a house where a Russian soldier was hiding. The occupier opened fire and fatally wounded the defender. The Russian soldier was neutralized, but medics were unable to save Samuel.
He came to Ukraine as a volunteer
Mstislav Taras, a veteran of the Special Operations Forces, said that after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Samuel joined the Australian Army and served in the 7th Regiment of the Royal Australian Infantry in Adelaide. During a deployment to the United Kingdom, he trained Ukrainian soldiers. At the end of 2024, he left the military to help Ukraine, and by 2025, he was working as a volunteer medic in the east of the country.
Friends and colleagues remember Samuel as an open, kind, and highly motivated person. “He was always an optimist, a kind and sincere person. I wish more people could learn about his journey and his heroic deeds,” said his colleague Alona Skalya, who worked with him in the United Kingdom.
Vitalina, an acquaintance of the soldier, recalls that Samuel repeatedly spoke of his desire to help Ukrainians. “He would say, ‘I have skills, I want to put them to use, I want to help Ukrainians.’ When asked if he would return to Australia, he replied, ‘No, this is my country now, too. I see my life in Ukraine,’” she said.
His final wish was fulfilled
Samuel Pedrazzini was the only child in his family. After moving to Ukraine, he settled in Ivano-Frankivsk with his partner, Emily. According to his family and comrades, the soldier had asked to be buried in Ukraine should he die in action. His family honored his wish. During the farewell ceremony, the soldier’s mother, Leonie Elizabeth Cook, addressed her son with these words:
“Your love for Ukraine was contagious… I will continue to talk to you every day.” Commander “Alex” also emphasized that it had been a great honor for him to serve alongside Samuel. The Australian volunteer was buried in the Alley of Heroes at the municipal cemetery in the village of Chukalivka near Ivano-Frankivsk. Here he found his final resting place—in the country he called his second home. This was reported by “Suspilne. Ivano-Frankivsk.”
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