Oscar Jenkins, a 33-year-old from Melbourne, has been sentenced to 13 years in a Russian-controlled prison for his role in the conflict in Ukraine. Convicted on mercenary charges in a court situated in the occupied eastern Ukraine territory of Luhansk, Jenkins was captured in December 2022 after allegedly arriving in Ukraine in February 2024 for military service, reportedly receiving substantial payments for his involvement. The Australian government has expressed grave concerns over the trial's integrity, with continuing calls for Jenkins’ release. The situation echoes previous cases involving foreign nationals facing harsh consequences due to their participation in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Australia's Oscar Jenkins Sentenced to 13 Years in Russian Prison for Combat Role
Australia's Oscar Jenkins Sentenced to 13 Years in Russian Prison for Combat Role
An Australian teacher, captured while fighting alongside Ukraine, faces a lengthy prison term in Russia.
In December 2022, Jenkins was taken captive by Russian forces and a distressing video emerged showing him being interrogated while tied up. Following his capture, the Australian government summoned the Russian ambassador amid false reports of Jenkins' death. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed the commitment to seek his release from the Russian regime. This incident draws parallels to the case of a British man, James Scott Rhys Anderson, who recently received a 19-year prison sentence in Russia for similar charges. The ongoing tensions in Ukraine, particularly regarding the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, have been exacerbated since 2014, when Russia-backed insurgencies began in the area.
