Australian Soldier Fighting for Ukraine is Alive
The Australian government has confirmed that Oscar Jenkins, an Australian soldier fighting for Ukraine, is alive. He was reported missing in December 2024 while on a combat mission near the village of Mykolaivka in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine.
Jenkins was serving with the 402nd Separate Rifle Battalion, part of Ukraine’s 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Unverified reports emerged in mid-January that he had been executed by Russian captors after being taken prisoner.
However, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has now confirmed that Jenkins is alive and in custody. The government made urgent inquiries to Russia about his whereabouts after the unverified reports surfaced.
The Geneva Conventions mandate all warring parties to treat prisoners of war with respect and dignity. Executing POWs is considered a gross violation of international law and a war crime.
Jenkins’ family and community are likely relieved by this news. He was described as “much loved” by his community in Australia, and had traveled to Ukraine in 2024 to fight for the country‘s resistance against Russia.
The Australian government has made it clear that they hold serious concerns for Jenkins’ treatment as a prisoner of war, and have urged Russia to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law.