The Australian government is investigating reports that Melbourne teacher Oscar Jenkins, who was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, has been killed after being subjected to torture.
Jenkins, a member of Ukraine’s International Legion, was reportedly taken captive in the Donbas region in late 2023.
A video emerged in December showing him being interrogated. The visibly distressed Jenkins, dressed in military uniform, struggled to answer questions in Russian while being physically assaulted.
Oscar Jenkins, the Australian merc captured in #Kursk very far from home, spat out an important detail after a clip round the ear. When asked, in somewhat broken English, why he’s there and mention of money, Jenkins replies, “#PrivatBank.” The bank was the focus of intense… https://t.co/BhBCWCrfRv pic.twitter.com/SMmeKTDrCt
— Mining Investor and Geostrategic Affairs Observer (@DShox1) December 24, 2024
Reports from multiple sources, including the Sydney Morning Herald revealed Jenkins was tortured for several days before being killed. Ukrainian forces have reportedly recovered his body, but further details remain unclear.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the government has summoned the Russian ambassador to seek urgent clarification about Jenkins’ fate. “If there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins, that is absolutely reprehensible,” said Albanese.
Jenkins’ death, if confirmed, would mark the first instance of an Australian prisoner of war (POW) being killed by a foreign power since World War II.
Jenkins was a former teacher who had lived in China since 2017 and joined Ukraine’s International Legion to support its fight against Russian forces. Described by comrades as courageous and selfless, he served in Ukraine’s 66th Mechanized Brigade.
According to a sergeant who served alongside him, Jenkins was “the first one in and the last one out,” and “always made sure everyone else was taken care of.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, at least seven Australians have died fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
