An Australian Army reservist will face an Adelaide court after he allegedly worked for the Ukraine military as a drone operator without authorisation.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said officers began investigating the South Australian man after receiving a referral from the Department of Defence that he had worked for a foreign military without authorisation.

While it was not an offence for an Australian to join the armed forces of a foreign country, the AFP said “defence legislation regulates the work certain individuals can perform for a foreign military, government or company without authorisation”.

“This is the first time the AFP has charged someone with this offence,” they said.

Police said they executed a search warrant at a Felixstow home in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs on Thursday, April 2, and seized electronic devices including a mobile phone and a laptop.

Investigators alleged the electronic devices contained images linking the 25-year-old man to participation in a foreign conflict.

A man with hands cuffed behind him being escorted by a police officer into the backseat of a car parked on a suburban street

Police will allege the SA man had served as a drone operator for the Ukrainian Armed Forces last year. (Supplied: Australian Federal Police)

It will be alleged the man travelled to Ukraine in May 2025 to serve as a drone operator for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the war against Russia without authorisation.

Police said he returned to Australia in January this year.

The man has been charged with one count of foreign work restricted individual working for a foreign military organisation or government body, contrary to section 115A of the Defence Act 1903, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.

The reservist is set to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Paula Hudson said the agency worked closely with its local, Commonwealth and international partners to protect Australia’s interests.

They asked anyone with information about individuals with sensitive defence knowledge intending to work for a foreign military or government body, or who have done so without authorisation, should contact the National Security Hotline 1800 123 400. Â