Australian Government Set to Speak on Behalf of Melbourne Man Accused by Russia Following Involvement in Ukraine Conflict | Australian Headlines

Australia will employ all available methods to assist Melbourne’s Oscar Jenkins, who is reportedly facing a 15-year jail term in Russia for fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the government will persistently urge Vladimir Putin’s government to free Jenkins, a 33-year-old former teacher who fought for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Initially reported to have died in captivity in January, Russia later confirmed that Jenkins was alive and in custody. In February, video footage emerged on YouTube showing him in a weakened state, possibly with a broken arm. According to recent reports, the Russian prosecutor’s office in Luhansk, a region currently controlled by Russia in eastern Ukraine, has indicted Jenkins, accusing him of acting as a mercenary for material gain. The Australian government considers Jenkins a prisoner of war, entitled to international humanitarian law protections. However, Russia classifies him as a mercenary, denying him such rights. Anthony Albanese affirmed the government’s commitment to advocating for Jenkins through various channels, emphasizing that Russia’s war against Ukraine not only violates international law but also undermines national sovereignty. The government is considering deploying a peacekeeping force to Ukraine, a proposal opposed by the Coalition.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/19/australia-to-advocate-for-melbourne-man-reportedly-charged-by-russia-after-fighting-for-ukraine