Australian man Caleb List, who signed up to fight for Ukraine's foreign legion.
Share this @internewscast.com

There are grave fears for a Queensland labourer who signed up to fight for Ukraine’s foreign legion after being rejected by the Australian Army.

Caleb List is feared to have been killed in a battle several weeks ago while fighting against the Russian invasion.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government was providing assistance to a family following reports of List’s death.

Australian man Caleb List, who signed up to fight for Ukraine's foreign legion.
Australian labourer Caleb List is feared to have been killed by Russian forces in Ukraine. (Facebook)

“Due to privacy concerns, I can’t give many details, but I will say that this is an incredibly risky situation,” she mentioned to the ABC this morning.

“We are assisting, providing consular assistance to a family in relation to this matter.”

In a separate press conference, Wong discouraged Australians from travelling to the warzone.

“I’ve made it very clear that we all support Ukraine in their defence of their country,” she said.

“We all condemn Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion, but it is not for Australians to travel to Ukraine to fight.”

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told 9news.com.au it was aware of reports of List’s death.

Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong at a press conference in Melbourne, Victoria.
Penny Wong said the government is providing assistance to a family following reports of List’s death. (Alex Ellinghausen)

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware that some individuals are trying to go to the conflict zone to participate in the fighting, and there have been reports of a few Australians who are either unaccounted for or have died in Ukraine,” a spokesperson stated.

“We continue to strongly urge Australians not to travel to Ukraine.

“It is a do-not-travel zone because the situation is extremely dangerous.”

In 2023, List shared with SBS that he had enlisted in the Ukrainian foreign legion in 2022 after Vladimir Putin initiated the invasion, following his previous rejection by the Australian Army.

“I tried a couple attempts to get in (the Army),” he said.

“For obvious reasons I got rejected, just a bit young and dumb, made some bad choices. But… I wanted something new, like I was sick of the job, I was sick of just being a labourer.”

He also said he had originally planned to join France’s foreign legion before the Kremlin launched its invasion, when he then “got drunk in Poland, crossed the border” and signed up to fight for Ukraine.

Caleb List shown on the frontline in Ukraine.
List signed up for Ukraine’s foreign legion in 2022. (Facebook)

“At the end of the day, I’m just a mercenary and I’m just a soldier of fortune,” he said.

“I’m just looking for an experience and enjoyment and something to get me through life, because in Australia I didn’t really have much going for me so I decided (to start) a new page.”

Compatriot Oscar Jenkins, who also signed up to fight for the foreign legion, was also feared dead earlier this year following his capture by Russian forces, before subsequent footage released by Moscow showed him to be alive but frail.

He has since been charged by Russian authorities for fighting for Ukraine.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mackay arson attack on tobacconist

Clumsy Arsonists Nearly Ignite Themselves During Failed Firebomb Attempt

A pair of fumbling firebombers have nearly set themselves on fire in…

Police Fatally Shoot Man in Potts Point After Alleged Assault on Two Women

Key Points Investigations have been launched into both incidents. Both incidents came…
Arrest made in cold case disappearance of AFL great's brother

Breakthrough in Cold Case: Arrest Made in Disappearance of AFL Legend’s Brother After Decades

Police have arrested a man in relation to the 14-year-old cold case…
Gus Lamont has been missing since September.

Authorities Report Lack of Cooperation from Missing Gus Lamont’s Family Members

South Australia‘s top cop has claimed two members of the family of…

Iran’s Alarming Nuclear Warning Sparks US Concerns: What You Need to Know

Israel has initiated a strategic deployment of troops into southern Lebanon, marking…

UN Demands Urgent Investigation into Heinous Attack on Iranian Girls’ School

In brief The school in southern Iran was hit on Saturday, the…
An exterior shot of BrewDog DogTap in Murarrie, Brisbane is one of five BrewDog locations in Australia.

Australian Pubs and Employment Secure Amid UK Company’s Major Workforce Reduction

Despite recent closures and staff layoffs in the UK, Australian BrewDog pubs…

Australia Unveils Significant Visa Fee Hike to $2,300: Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Changes

The Australian government has announced a significant increase in application fees for…
Victorian work from home laws

Victoria’s New Work-From-Home Laws: What You Need to Know

The Victorian government is pushing ahead with its work-from-home laws, meaning millions…

Matildas Coach Calls for Compassion Towards Iranian Football Team After Striker’s Emotional Moment

In brief Iran will play the Matildas in the 2026 Women’s Asian…
Man who 'threatened police with knife' shot dead by police at Brisbane home

Brisbane Police Fatally Shoot Knife-Wielding Man During Home Confrontation

Authorities responded to a welfare check at a residence on Thurston Street…
Colin Gray, the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, reacts after a jury convicted him of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter at Barrow County Courthouse in Winder, Ga., Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool)

U.S. Father Found Guilty After Son Uses Gifted Gun in School Shooting Tragedy

A father in the United States has been convicted of murder and…