Australia news LIVE: Coalition match Medicare promise, as new poll shows Labor facing election defeat; Ukraine marks three years since Russia’s invasion

Australian politicians are responding to the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

In three years of conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said more than 46,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed defending their homeland, while the wounded numbered about 380,000. The true number of the thousands of civilians killed in occupied Ukrainian territory remains unknown.

A memorial service at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canberra will take place on Monday and be attended by Australian officials, diplomats and the Ukrainian community. Australia has committed more than $1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with his defence and foreign ministers said the nation will continue to stand with Ukraine as it “bravely” resists Russia’s “immoral war”.

“Australia mourns the loss of life of Ukraine’s citizens and defenders, and the generational toll of Russia’s brutality,” it reads.

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“Once again, Australia calls on Russia to immediately end its war and adhere fully to its obligations under international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the Coalition stood with Ukraine and for an end that fully respected its sovereignty.

“A peace that does not reward the murderous despot Putin, as any reward would embolden other autocrats to follow in his tyrannical footsteps,” his statement said.

“As Australians look on from afar and see the horrors and heartache of war that Ukrainians continue to endure every day, we also see, every day, a country of heroes.”

For the latest news out of Ukraine, head here.

AAP with Josefine Ganko