Kremlin attacks ‘Russophobic policy’ in acknowledgment of captured Australian
The government has rebuffed a Russian description of Australia as ‘Russophobic’, after the Kremlin acknowledged the capture of Australian mercenary Oscar Jenkins.
The federal government has rebuffed a Russian description of Australia as “Russophobic”, after the Kremlin made its first acknowledgment of the capture of Australian mercenary Oscar Jenkins.
The Russian government has indicated Mr Jenkins was captured along the Russo-Ukrainian frontline for the first time, while complaining of Australia’s adherence to its Western allies in the Ukraine war amid a tense diplomatic negotiation.
In a briefing by the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the Kremlin had been contacted by Australian officials regarding Mr Jenkins’ capture, confirming government officials were investigating the matter.
As reported by Reuters, relaying information from Russian news agency TASS, Ms Zakharova took a swipe at Australia for “obediently (following) in the footsteps of the collective West, which pursues a Russophobic policy” in the same briefing on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded: “The Australian government welcomes the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ confirmation it is actioning our request for information on the location and welfare of Mr Jenkins.
“We reiterate our expectation that the Russian government fully adhere to its obligations under international humanitarian law, including with respect to prisoners of war.
“We reject the mischaracterisation of Australia as ‘Russophobic’. The Australian government acts in our national interests. As the Prime Minister has said, we will always look after Australians.”
“Efforts are currently under way to verify reports of the captured Australian citizen,” she said. “We are monitoring the situation alongside the relevant agencies.”
“The Australian political establishment (has a) hostile stance towards Russia.
“Canberra obediently follows in the footsteps of the collective West, which pursues a Russophobic policy.”
Mr Jenkins served with the Ukrainian Foreign Legion and was reportedly captured while fighting in the Donbas region. He is the first Australian combatant reportedly captured by Russian forces in Ukraine.
So far DFAT has provided consular support to the 32-year-old Melburnian’s family and urged Russian counterparts to meet its humanitarian obligations in his treatment as a prisoner of war.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was set to address local and international media on Thursday evening AEDT in a rare media address regarding Russia’s foreign policy.
The Kremlin’s acknowledgment of Mr Jenkins’ reported capture comes after Russian ambassador to Australia Alexey Pavlovsky was called before DFAT in Canberra on Monday.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Jenkins graduated from Melbourne Grammar School in 2010, before studying at Monash University and then moving to China in 2015.
Having fallen out of contact with many of his friends and loved ones in Australia, he was seen in social media video on Sunday taken prisoner by Russian troops.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Mark Dreyfus was contacted for comment.
More Coverage
Immigration detention duty: minister Burke powers up
Immigration Minister Tony Burke has quietly issued new rules granting himself the power to impose electronic monitoring and curfews on dangerous non-citizens released from detention.
$42k taxpayer grant for anti-Israel artist
Matt Chun received a $42,452 taxpayer grant in May 2023 to publish a picture book. He previously co-wrote works that attacked ‘colonial and imperialist’ statues.