‘He always made sure everyone else was taken care of,’ foreign soldier says of Oscar Jenkins

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned Australia would take the “strongest action possible” after reports prisoner of war Oscar Jenkins was tortured and murdered by Russian forces.

Foreign soldiers who served with Ukrainian troops and fought alongside Oscar Jenkins say the Melbourne teacher – who is believed to have been executed by Russian forces while a prisoner of war – died a hero.

One soldier, who didn’t want to be named, said he was told on January 9 that the ex-Melbourne Grammar student had been tortured and murdered. He said the news was confirmed a day later.

The soldier taught Mr Jenkins, 32, to fight in Ukraine and served with him in the 66th merchandised brigade.

“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 everyone else was taken care of,” he said.

A foreign soldier said ex-Melbourne Grammar student Oscar Jenkins was murdered. Picture: Instagram,

News of Mr Jenkins’ death was shared in a group text message, which read: “He has been executed. His body has been recovered. It is unknown right now where it is.”

The soldier told Nine the Russian military had a policy of torturing and killing foreign fighters, rather than holding them as prisoners of war.

“They tortured him for days to make an example of him. The Russian troops don’t care for laws, morals, nothing – they’re just there to kill,” he said.

Another soldier said Mr Jenkins’ body had reportedly been identified by a tattoo on his hand that said “vegan”.

A soldier says the Russians tortured Mr Jenkins for days ‘to make an example of him’.

A Ukrainian organisation dedicated to honouring international volunteers involved in the war effort said in a statement on Wednesday that Mr Jenkins would “not be forgotten”.

“Our beloved Australian brother Oscar Jenkins, who had been serving in Ukraine as a volunteer, was murdered by Russians during captivity,” the statement said.

“Honour, glory and gratitude to our brother.”

Members of Mr Jenkins’ family huddled inside their Caulfield North home on Wednesday, awaiting confirmation of his fate.

Visibly emotional, his mother, Elizabeth Jenkins, did not comment as she left the home and drove away.

Oscar Jenkins' mum Elizabeth did not speak to the media on Wednesday.

It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed Australia would take the “strongest action possible” if Mr Jenkins was confirmed to have been executed by Russian forces.

“If there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins, that is absolutely reprehensible and the Australian government will take the strongest action possible,” Mr Albanese said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the options on the table should include withdrawing Australia’s ambassador and sending the Russian ambassador to Australia packing.

“We should send a clear message to Russia and to other similar minded regimes that Australians are sacrosanct,” he said. “They deserve to be protected by their government and if they are harmed in this way … then there should be a strong reaction from the Prime Minister.”

Originally published as ‘He always made sure everyone else was taken care of,’ foreign soldier says of Oscar Jenkins