Australia has vowed to take the “strongest possible action” if it is confirmed that Russian forces have executed one of its captured citizens in Ukraine.
Ministers said they were “seeking urgent clarification” from Moscow about the condition of Oscar Jenkins after reports of his death circulated earlier this week.
The 32-year-old, from Melbourne, was serving with Ukrainian forces when he was captured by Russian troops last year.
A video emerged in December which showed a visibly shaken Mr Jenkins with his hands bound being interrogated by Russian troops. They were also seen hitting him on the head several times.
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Mr Jenkins, who could be heard speaking Ukrainian and English, identifies himself in the footage as a teacher and says he “wants to help Ukraine” – as the interrogator asks him if “he wants to live”.
Australian media reported on Wednesday that Mr Jenkins had probably died in Russian captivity, citing Ukrainian military sources.
A sergeant known as “Gump” who fought alongside Mr Jenkins in Ukraine’s 66th mechanised brigade told The Sydney Morning Herald that the Australian had been “executed”.
Meanwhile, an American fighter who served with Mr Jenkins told ABC News that his body had been discovered by Ukrainian troops and identified by a tattoo of the word “vegan” on his hand.
A video that appears to have been uploaded by Mr Jenkins to YouTube in 2023 is titled “I will force Chinese people to be vegan”.
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In the clip, Mr Jenkins says: “If you’re not vegan and you’re my friend, then you’re gonna be vegan soon, or we’re gonna fight.”
Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said on Wednesday that the Russian ambassador had been summoned and that his government was “gravely concerned” about the situation.
“We’ll await the facts to come out. But, if there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins, that’s absolutely reprehensible,” he said.
Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, said the government was considering “all options”, including expelling the Russian ambassador.
Ms Wong said Russia was obliged to treat prisoners of war in line with international law, including humane treatment and the right to a fair trial.
The Kremlin said on Wednesday it was “not aware” if Australia had raised Mr Jenkins’s case but said foreigners fighting for Ukraine were “legal targets”.
At least seven Australians have been killed while fighting in Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion of the country in February 2022.
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