World

Russia jails Australian man for fighting for Ukraine

By AAP Newswire

May 16, 2025

Screenshot of captured Australian man Oscar Jenkins — Oscar Jenkins was serving alongside Ukraine's military when he was captured by Russian forces. -PR Handout Image

Russia has sentenced an Australian citizen to 13 years in a maximum-security prison for fighting alongside Ukrainian forces, state prosecutors in a part of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russia say.

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Oscar Jenkins, 33, was found guilty by a court of taking part in an armed conflict as a mercenary, a statement from the prosecutors said on Friday.

The court had ruled he had taken part in combat operations against Russian troops between March and December 2024.

Australian media reported in 2024 that Jenkins, a teacher from Melbourne, was serving alongside Ukraine's military when he was captured by Russian forces.

In January, Australia summoned the Russian ambassador over what turned out to be false reports that Jenkins had been killed after being captured by Russia.

Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko has previously said his government added Jenkins to its list of prisoners of war and would negotiate for his release in an exchange.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said Australia has made representations to Ukraine, including a one-on-one discussion he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

with AAP

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press