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New Zealand soldier Dominic Abelen honoured with haka in Ukraine

Updated: 14/03/2025 - 15:35 GMT+1

A haka was performed by Ukrainian soldiers to honour Dominic Abelen, a New Zealand soldier of Māori descent killed in 2022, whose body was recently returned to Ukraine, where he was awarded two medals.

Ukrainian soldiers from the Defence Intelligence International Legion performed a haka to honour fallen comrade Dominic Abelen, a New Zealander of Māori descent.

Known by his nom de guerre "Tolkien," Abelen, 28, was killed in combat near Vuhledar, Donetsk region, in August 2022.

His body was recently returned to Ukraine, where he was honoured with the GUR award "Ukraine above all" and the "For military merits" medal.

Abelen, who also served in Iraq, joined the International Legion in 2022 to fight in Ukraine.

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