Australia has summoned the Russian ambassador to the country after a Melbourne man was reportedly killed after being captured while fighting for Ukraine.
Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that his government had “serious concerns” about Oscar Jenkins, a 32-year-old teacher who was captured by Russian forces last year.
The Prime Minister said Australia would take “the strongest possible action” if reports of Jenkins’ death were true.
Reports of Mr Jenkins’ death have not been confirmed.
“We will wait for the truth to come out,” he said. “But if Oscar Jenkins is harmed in any way, that is absolutely reprehensible and the Australian government will take the strongest possible action.”
“I spoke with the Ukrainian Ambassador in my office on Monday. We call on Russia to immediately identify Oscar Jenkins and we remain seriously concerned. We will wait for the facts to emerge.
A government spokesman said Russian Ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky had been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to answer questions about Jenkins’ condition.
“The Russian Federation is obliged to treat all prisoners of war in accordance with international humanitarian law,” the spokesman said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian told abc radio Relations with Russia have been “very difficult” for many years. “Australia has maintained diplomatic relations with Russia under different governments during this period,” Ms Huang said. “However, once we have established the facts and are able to verify with Mr. Jenkins what actually occurred here, we will consider all options.”
Ms. Huang also spoke about the Jenkins family. “For months, they have lived with the fear and uncertainty of their loved ones, in the middle of a foreign war. I know these reports will be devastating to them, and I think about them, and I believe Many Australians thought of this too.
Anthony Albanese (AP)
this sydney morning herald It was reported on Wednesday that a foreign soldier who trained Jenkins was “mourning” the death of his “close friend” and accused Russian troops of torturing and executing the Australian.
The unidentified soldier, who reportedly served with Jenkins, said he was informed on January 9 that the Melbourne man had been executed. A day later, a fellow soldier confirmed the news, he said.
“He’s not here for money or glory,” the soldier said of Mr. Jenkins. “He came here to help Ukraine. If I can say one thing about Oscar, he was the first one in and the last one out. He always made sure everyone else was taken care of.
“I took him under my wing, helped him in any way I could, made sure he was on his team. I taught him everything I knew.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said Kyiv was trying to confirm whether Jenkins had been killed.
