The Ukrainian ambassador to New Zealand has met with the parents of a Kiwi aid worker killed in the conflict as they continue to call for his death two years ago to be labelled a war crime.
Christchurch scientist Andrew Bagshaw was killed in Ukraine in January 2023 while volunteering as an aid worker, helping evacuees flee the front line in the Soledar region.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko met Bagshaw’s parents, Dr Phillip and Dame Sue Bagshaw, at Christchurch’s Cathedral Junction yesterday to offer his sympathy.
“Please accept the condolences of the passing of your son,” he told the family.
“For us, for Ukrainians, he was a hero.”
Dame Sue said sometimes Andrew’s death felt like it happened a long time ago and that other times it felt like yesterday.
“It’s so variable. Grief is an incredibly complex thing, and it can go on forever.”
Andrew was killed alongside a colleague — British aid worker Chris Parry.
Post mortem examinations reported that both were killed by gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of the body, rather than the initial official explanation of their deaths which was that their vehicle was hit by artillery fire.
Deliberately killing civilians in battle is a war crime under the Geneva Convention.
An inquest into 28-year-old Parry’s death concluded it was “unlawful”, with Coroner Darren Salter at the Oxfordshire’s Coroner’s Court saying “the circumstances point to a war crime”.
The Bagshaw family is seeking that same recognition for the death of Andrew.
“We are keen for Andrew’s death to be recorded as a war crime and for New Zealand to take Russia to the international court along with other countries to answer for their crimes,” Phillip said.
Myroshnychenko said recognising Andrew’s death as a war crime would be a “meticulous” legal process.
“I think that the research we’ve done so far has been quite impressive. There are still some missing elements which need to be established, so I will be happy to assist whoever is doing that.”
The Bagshaws, both recognised by New Zealand for services to health, have ambitions to use their vast medical experience to help rebuild Ukraine’s health system.
“We are keen to support, hopefully, some recovery in Ukraine if they ever stop fighting but also some justice for Ukraine, because that is what Andrew was really committed to,” Dame Sue said.
“It will be a lifelong project,” Phillip added. “Sue and I are too old to see that through, but we can definitely put them on the right track.”
The Ukrainian ambassador is in New Zealand until Waitangi Day and will meet with Government officials next week.
He plans to invite Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Ukraine later this year and will also seek further support for his country.
