Michael Galea, a member of the parliament of the Australian state of Victoria, visited Ukraine to “see firsthand the impacts of Russia’s illegal war and to convey my support [for the Ukrainian people].”
Galea spoke about his visit during a session of Victoria’s state parliament, as reported by the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO).
While in Ukraine, he traveled to Kyiv, the capital, and visited an apartment building in the city’s Sviatoshynskyi district in the western part of the city that was hit by a Russian drone in April.
The attack killed 13 civilians and injured 90.
“To see the impact of this destruction was simply harrowing. [This was an attack] on ordinary people just trying to live their lives,” Galea told parliament.
The member of parliament also visited liberated areas of the Kyiv region.
He addressed his nation’s legislature by saying that “[the Russians] tortured, raped, and killed” civilians there — “often killed for sport.”
Galea praised the remarkable efforts of Ukrainians in rebuilding these areas, noting that in some towns where up to 70 percent of buildings were damaged, the destruction is now barely visible.
This “is a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people,” he said.
He also met with representatives of civil society, according to the Ukrainian Child Rights Network.
“One key topic of discussion was the challenges children face during the war, with a focus on advocating for Ukraine’s needs on the international stage and exploring opportunities for partnership,” the organization said.
The AFUO expressed gratitude to Galea, the Parliament of Victoria, and the Australian Parliament for its continued support of the Ukrainian people.
Cover: the Ukrainian Child Rights Network on Facebook.
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