Australia has summoned Russia’s ambassador to the country over reports that a Melbourne man was killed after being caught fighting for Ukraine.
Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday his government was “deeply concerned” about Oscar Jenkins, a 32-year-old teacher who was kidnapped by Russian forces last year.
The prime minister said Australia would take “very strong action” if reports of Jenkins’ death were true.
Reports of Mr Jenkins’ death have not been confirmed.
“We will wait for the facts to come out,” he said. “But if there was any harm caused by Oscar Jenkins, that is a crime and the Australian government will take serious action,” he said at a press conference.
“I spoke with the Ukrainian ambassador on Monday in my office. We are asking Russia to immediately confirm the status of Oscar Jenkins, we are still very concerned. We will wait for the facts to come out.”
A government spokesman said the Russian ambassador, Alexey Pavlovsky, had been summoned to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to answer questions about Mr Jenkins’ condition.
“The Russian Federation is responsible for treating all prisoners of war in accordance with international humanitarian law,” the statement said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said ABC Radio relations with Russia have been “very difficult” for many years. “Australia has maintained diplomatic relations with Russia during that time under different governments,” Ms Wong said. “However, we will consider all options once we have the facts and once we have confirmed what happened here with Mr Jenkins.”
Ms. Wong also spoke about the Jenkins family. “They have been living with the fear and uncertainty of a loved one for many months during a foreign war. I know these reports will hurt them deeply, and they are on my mind and I’m sure the thoughts of many Australians.”
Anthony Albanese (Associated Press)
I Sydney Morning Herald On Wednesday it was reported that the foreign soldier who had trained Mr Jenkins was “mourning” the death of his “close friend” as he accused Russian forces of torturing and killing an Australian.
The unnamed soldier, who was reportedly working with Mr Jenkins, said he was told on January 9 that the Melbourne man had been killed. He said the news was confirmed by another soldier a day later.
“He wasn’t after money or fame,” the soldier said of Mr. Jenkins. “He was 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 that everyone else was taken care of.
“I took him under my wing, I helped him with everything I could, I made sure he was in his team. I taught him everything I knew.”
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said Kyiv was trying to confirm whether Mr Jenkins had been killed.
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