‘Give us proof Australian PoW Oscar Jenkins is alive’, Ukraine demands of Russia

Ukraine has demanded Moscow produce video evidence that Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins is alive after Russia’s ambassador told the Albanese government he was in custody, not dead as previously feared.

Oscar Jenkins, captured by Russian forces last year, is alive, according to Russian officials.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

Ukraine has demanded Moscow produce video evidence that Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins is alive after Russia’s ambassador told the Albanese government he was in custody, not dead as previously feared.

Penny Wong said on Wednesday the government had received Russian confirmation that Mr Jenkins – who was reportedly executed after being captured fighting for Ukraine – was being held as a prisoner of war. Russia’s ambassador to Australia, Alexey Pavlovsky, informed Australian officials on Tuesday night that the Melbourne man was alive and in “normal” health, but has yet to provide definitive proof, a government source said.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, welcomed the news, but said Russia was a “murderous misinformation machine that cannot be taken at its word alone”.

“We should strongly note that Russia is documented as killing and maltreating prisoners of war, as well as constantly lying on an industrial scale,” he said.

“In line with international norms, Russia must therefore provide definitive video proof of Oscar being alive and, then more importantly, it should release him rather than use him as a human bargaining chip for its authoritarian aims.”

The Foreign Minister expressed no such doubts, but said Australia held serious concerns for Mr Jenkins’ welfare as a prisoner of war, and demanded he be released. “We have made clear to Russia in Canberra and in Moscow that Mr Jenkins is a prisoner of war and Russia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law, including humane treatment,” Senator Wong said.

“If Russia does not provide Mr Jenkins the protections he is entitled to under international humanitarian law, our response will be unequivocal.”

Australian officials are in talks with Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross to gain access to Mr Jenkins so they can verify his welfare. Government officials informed Mr Jenkins’ family he was alive before announcing it publicly.

Australian man Oscar Jenkins was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine.

Senator Wong had earlier expressed “grave concerns” for the former schoolteacher’s welfare after Seven News reported he had been killed by his captors.

Mr Jenkins, 32, was serving in Ukraine’s armed forces when he was captured by Russian forces last year. Video footage released online showed him being beaten and abused as he was interrogated.

The news that he remained alive sparked a fresh call by self-styled “Aussie Cossack” Simeon Boikov, who is holed up in Russia’s Sydney consulate evading a police warrant, to be swapped for Mr Jenkins.

“I very much believe there is a prospect for a swap as long as there is a political appetite on both sides,” Boikov said.

“It is clear there is an appetite on the Russian side or they wouldn’t have held me in the consulate for 800 days and given me a passport by presidential decree.”

Russian politician Viktor ­Petrovich Vodolatsky earlier called for a prisoner swap involving Boikov, who was granted Russian citizenship last year by Vladimir Putin.

Anthony Albanese declined to provide confirmation that Mr Jenkins was alive ahead of Senator Wong’s statement, but said “if that is the case it certainly would be welcome”.

“It is something that we have demanded information on and we are demanding more information so that we can be certain that what has been suggested is in fact the case,” the Prime Minister said.

“One of the things we have been keen on doing is making sure that Mr Jenkins’ family get information before it is spoken about publicly as well. But at this stage we are seeking further confirmation and details.”

Mr Albanese had previously warned of the “strongest possible action” against the Kremlin if Mr Jenkins had been executed by Russian forces, while Senator Wong had declared “all options are on the table”, including the potential expulsion of Mr Pavlovsky.

Peter Dutton backed the warning, saying the Russian Ambassador should be sent packing if Mr Jenkins was dead.

Mr Jenkins playing cricket in Melbourne. Picture: Instagram

Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations co-chair Kateryna Argryou said Vladimir Putin was responsible for the “sense of powerlessness” the Jenkins’ family had endured.

“The Ukrainian community is simply overjoyed by reports that Oscar is alive.

“It should never have taken so long to confirm Oscar was alive. We hope that the Russian authorities are treating him humanely and in accordance with international law – something they have not afforded to more than the vast majority of Ukrainian POWs.

“We must never forget that (Putin) has caused so much pain and suffering, so much death and destruction, and he must one day be held accountable.”

Mr Jenkins attended Melbourne Grammar, played cricket for Prahran and later taught ­biology at a Chinese university. He was also a vegan activist who campaigned on social media for people to stop eating meat.

The video of Mr Jenkins’ interrogation showed him responding to questions in broken Ukrainian, English and French. At one point, a Russian asked him: “Do you want to live?” Mr Jenkins replied: “I want to help Ukraine.”