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Oscar Jenkins

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Oscar Jenkins is an Australian teacher. He volunteered to fight for Ukraine during the Russian invasion and was taken prisoner by Russian forces. In December 2024, videos posted on social media showed him being questioned and struck repeatedly by a Russian interrogator. On 14 January 2025, reports emerged that Jenkins had been killed. Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese promised the "strongest action possible" against Russia if the death of Jenkins was confirmed. Leader of the opposition Peter Dutton called for Russia's ambassador to Australia to be expelled if Jenkins had been executed.

Background

Oscar Jenkins was born in Melbourne and graduated from Melbourne Grammar School, where he was vice-captain, in 2010. He was a member of the Toorak Prahran Cricket Club and studied biomedical sciences at Monash University. In 2015, Jenkins left Australia to work as a lecturer at Tianjin College in China. He joined the International Legion following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and had been fighting in the Donbas region.

Capture

In December 2024, video was released showing that Jenkins had been captured by Russian forces. The date of Jenkins' capture is unknown, with some reports that he may have been missing for months. The footage, which showed Jenkins being slapped and taunted, was condemned by the Australian government. A government spokesperson said that Russia must "comply with international legal obligations and ensure Mr Jenkins' welfare". Russian Ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky was summoned to meet with Australian officials after the video was released.

On 14 January 2025, reports emerged that Jenkins had been killed while held prisoner by Russia. A sergeant who had served with Jenkins reported that he had been "executed" and that he may have been subjected to torture. The Australian government reported that it was working to verify reports of Jenkins' death.

Reactions

While at least seven Australians have been killed in combat in Ukraine, Jenkins was the first to be captured as a prisoner of war. He would be the first Australian to die while being held as a prisoner of war in over 50 years, and the first to be killed while a prisoner of war in over 70 years.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to take the "strongest action possible" if reports that Jenkins had been killed were confirmed, and said that the Australian government was seeking "urgent clarification" of Jenkins' status. Opposition leader Peter Dutton and foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham called for the Russian ambassador to Australia to be expelled if Jenkins' death was confirmed. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that the expulsion of Russian diplomats was "on the table". The Russian Embassy did not comment on reports of Jenkins' death, and pointed to a 25 December statement in which a spokesperson said that Russia was "checking information on the detained Australian citizen".

References

  1. "Australia's prime minister demands Russia explain what happened to Australian POW". AP News. January 15, 2025.
  2. "'Grave concern' for Australian man reportedly killed by Russian forces". BBC News. January 14, 2025.
  3. ^ Butler, Josh (January 15, 2025). "PM promises 'strongest action possible' against Russia if death of Australian Oscar Jenkins confirmed". The Guardian.
  4. "Friends serving with Oscar Jenkins in Ukraine believe Australian killed shortly after capture - ABC News".
  5. ^ Groch, Sherryn; McMillan, Ashleigh (23 December 2024). "'Your typical Aussie cricket boy': Why Oscar Jenkins went to fight in Ukraine". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  6. Burgess, Annika; Morris-Grant, Brianna (16 January 2025). "From the classroom to war, how Australian Oscar Jenkins fought for Ukraine". ABc News. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  7. Morwood, Maddy (25 December 2024). "Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins has been captured by Russia. What happens now?". ABC News. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  8. Greene, Andrew; Estcourte, David (24 December 2024). "Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins may have been 'missing' in Ukraine for months". ABC News. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  9. Ireland, Olivia (27 December 2024). "Release of Australian captured by Russia could take years". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  10. Greene, Andrew; Truu, Maani (23 December 2024). "Russian social media video appears to show Australian man captured in Ukraine". ABC News. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  11. Knott, Matthew; Bonyhady, Nick (14 January 2025). "'All options on the table' after reports of Australian's death at Russia's hands". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  12. Karacsony, Laurence (15 January 2025). "Sergeant who fought alongside Oscar Jenkins confirms Australian was tortured 'for days' before execution by Russians". Sky News Australia. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  13. Butler, Josh (15 January 2025). "PM promises 'strongest action possible' against Russia if death of Australian Oscar Jenkins confirmed". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  14. Greene, Andrew; Estcourt, David (15 January 2025). "Friends serving with Oscar Jenkins in Ukraine believe Australian killed shortly after capture". ABC News. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  15. Loftus, Alex (14 January 2025). "'Grave concern' for Australian man reportedly killed by Russian forces". BBC News. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  16. Cheung, Eric; Whiteman, Hilary (15 January 2025). "Albanese vows 'strongest action possible' if Australian POW killed fighting for Ukraine against Russia". CNN. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  17. "Australia to take 'strongest action possible' against Russia if Oscar Jenkins has been killed". SBS. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  18. ^ McGuirk, Rod (15 January 2025). "Australia's prime minister demands Russia explain what happened to Australian POW". Associated Press. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  19. Knott, Matthew; Crowe, Alex (15 January 2025). "Pressure grows on government to act over Russia's alleged killing of Oscar Jenkins". The Age. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
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