Over 500 Kiwis have volunteered to fight in Ukraine against Russia, despite there being a "do not travel" warning in place for the country.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February, several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have given Ukraine military equipment. New Zealand isn't doing that at this stage, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said, instead, Aotearoa is supporting Ukraine through humanitarian aid.
More than 20,000 people from 52 countries have volunteered to fight for Ukraine in their International Legion, the country's Defence Ministry says, and among this is about 500 New Zealanders.
Ukraine's honorary consul in Auckland, Oleksandr Kirichuk, says he's urging these volunteers not to join the fight because there is no consular support offered by New Zealand in Ukraine.
"I am tired to say every day they can't [join]," he told Stuff.
"[The volunteers] don't ask for money or anything. They just want to go and join the forces."
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Many of the volunteer requests have come via email, and Kirichuk says he's had to reply to hundreds of people telling them not to go.
He didn't confirm whether he knew of any Kiwis who had actually gone to Ukraine to fight.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has a "do not travel" warning in place due to the war. Any New Zealanders currently in Ukraine are advised to leave as soon as it's safe to do so.
This warning doesn't actually stop Kiwis from entering Ukraine, but they are advised that consular assistance for New Zealanders is severely limited while there.
MFAT says New Zealand consular officials are currently in southeast Poland ready to support Kiwis crossing the border from Ukraine into Poland.
