Australian National Charged as Mercenary for Fighting in Ukraine
A 33-year-old Australian teacher captured by Russian forces has been charged under Russia's criminal code, with Australia making representations on his behalf
An Australian man, identified as Oscar Jenkins, a 33-year-old teacher, was captured by Russian forces in December 2024 while fighting for Ukraine.
He has since been charged with being a mercenary in an armed conflict, according to the prosecutor's office in the occupied Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.
The office stated that it had approved the indictment against him under Russia's criminal code.
Jenkins allegedly arrived in Ukraine in February 2024 and participated in military operations against Russian forces, receiving a monthly payment of 600,000-800,000 rubles.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that Australian officials continue to make representations on Jenkins' behalf, stating that Australia will use all available avenues to support him.
This development comes after a video surfaced in December showing Jenkins being questioned and physically assaulted by Russian forces.
The incident has drawn attention from Australian authorities, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong previously calling for his release and adherence to international humanitarian law.
The charges against Jenkins are the latest in a series of cases involving foreign nationals fighting in Ukraine, including a British man who was recently jailed for 19 years by a Russian military court on charges of terrorism and mercenary activity.
The Luhansk region, where Jenkins has been charged, was annexed by Moscow in 2022 and has been under significant Russian control since 2014, when Russian proxy forces began an insurgency in the area.
He has since been charged with being a mercenary in an armed conflict, according to the prosecutor's office in the occupied Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.
The office stated that it had approved the indictment against him under Russia's criminal code.
Jenkins allegedly arrived in Ukraine in February 2024 and participated in military operations against Russian forces, receiving a monthly payment of 600,000-800,000 rubles.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that Australian officials continue to make representations on Jenkins' behalf, stating that Australia will use all available avenues to support him.
This development comes after a video surfaced in December showing Jenkins being questioned and physically assaulted by Russian forces.
The incident has drawn attention from Australian authorities, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong previously calling for his release and adherence to international humanitarian law.
The charges against Jenkins are the latest in a series of cases involving foreign nationals fighting in Ukraine, including a British man who was recently jailed for 19 years by a Russian military court on charges of terrorism and mercenary activity.
The Luhansk region, where Jenkins has been charged, was annexed by Moscow in 2022 and has been under significant Russian control since 2014, when Russian proxy forces began an insurgency in the area.