An Australian volunteer soldier combating for Ukraine who was reported to have been executed by Russian forces after being taken prisoner is alive, Australian International Minister Penny Wong stated on Jan. 29.

"The Australian authorities has acquired affirmation from Russia that Oscar Jenkins is alive and in custody," she stated in feedback reported by The Guardian.

Jenkins is serving within the 402nd Separate Rifle Battalion, which is a part of Ukraine's 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet Slidstvo.Information reported on Jan. 17.

He went lacking on Dec. 16 in 2024 whereas being on a fight mission close to the village of Mykolaivka in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine's Floor Forces Command instructed the outlet.

In a video that emerged on Russian Telegram channels in late December, Jenkins is seen in army fatigues, interrogated by Russian captors.

The person behind the digicam asks the captive about his title and background and whether or not he desires to stay whereas beating him over the top.

Unverified reviews started circulating in mid-January that the soldier was executed by his Russian captors, prompting Australian officers to make pressing inquiries to Russia about his whereabouts.

"We nonetheless maintain critical issues for Mr Jenkins as a prisoner of struggle," Wong stated, including: "We’ve made clear to Russia in Canberra and in Moscow that Mr Jenkins is a prisoner of struggle and Russia is obligated to deal with him in accordance with worldwide humanitarian legislation, together with humane therapy."

Russia has been repeatedly accused of summarily executing Ukrainian POWs all through the struggle.

The Geneva Conventions mandate all opponents to deal with POW with respect and dignity, whereas executing POWs is taken into account a gross violation of worldwide legislation and a struggle crime.

Not like most different foreigners volunteering to hitch Ukraine's resistance towards Russia, Jenkins has had no army expertise.

The Australian media described the person as "a lot liked" by his group in Australia, a gifted cricket and soccer participant who studied biomedical sciences earlier than working as a lecturer in China.

He’s believed to have traveled to Ukraine in 2024.

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