Australian Cossack may have flown to Ukraine to support pro-Russian rebels

An Australian-born Cossack from Sydney is reportedly being monitored by a national intelligence agency after allegedly flying to Ukraine to support pro-Russian separatists.

Cabramatta resident Simeon Boykov, 24, told News Corp that he was aware that ASIO had been monitoring his activity, however claimed that he is not a threat.

“I am told that ASIO keeps tabs on us and I think they are certain we are not a threat,” Mr Boykov said.

Cossack militants have been linked with the pro-Russian rebels accused of shooting down MH17 by Ukrainian intelligence intercepts.

Mr Boykov would not confirm whether he had been to Donetsk, however his close friend Father Alexander Paramonov said he understood Mr Boykov had been in the rebel-held city with a two-star Russian general.

It is illegal for Australian citizens to enter a foreign country with the intention to engage in armed combat or provide material support for hostile activity.

Mr Boykov said that Russia was not involved in the shooting down of flight MH17, saying that there was no reason that the country would shoot down a plane.

Mr Boykov is leader, or ‘ataman’, of The Zaibakal Cossack Society of Australia which has around 150 members and is based in western Sydney.

Cossack society is largely militaristic, with the group often used by the Russian government as a semi-official militia at events like the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.