Australia–Russia relations
Foreign relations date back to 1807, when the Russian warship Neva arrived in Sydney as part of its circumnavigation of the globe. Consular relations between Australia and the Russian Empire were established in 1857. Diplomatic relations between Australia and the Soviet Union were established in 1942, and the first Australian embassy opened in 1943. Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations became very tense after Australia imposed sanctions against Russia. Russia placed Australia on a list of "unfriendly countries", along with Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the United States, European Union members, NATO members, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Micronesia and Ukraine.
The Russian corvette Rynda in Sydney in 1888.
The opening of the Australian Parliament on 9 May 1901 at which the Russian Empire was represented by Nicolai Passek, the Imperial Consul in Melbourne. (figure shown in far bottom left of image)
Soviet Ambassador Andrey Vlasov presents his credentials at Government House, Canberra, March 1943. Front (left to right): H. V. Evatt, Andrey Vlasov, Governor-General Lord Gowrie, Prime Minister John Curtin. Back (left to right): Lt-Col W. R. Hodgson (?), Soldatov (?), Schibatev (?), Karpunin, L. S. Bracegirdle.
Evdokia Petrova being escorted by two Soviet diplomatic couriers at Sydney Airport.
Fort Scratchley, a former coastal defence installation, is now a museum. It is located in Newcastle East, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales in Australia. It was built in 1882 to defend the city against a possible Russian attack. However, its guns were not fired in anger until 8 June 1942, during the shelling of Newcastle. The Australian Army left the site in 1972.
Fort Scratchley (on hilltop) viewed from Nobbys Beach
Fort Scratchley in 2011.
Fort Scratchley, 1890 (photographer Ralph Snowball)
Fort Scratchley, showing the dry moat that surrounds part of the structure
