Australia pledges “strongest action” against Russia after reports of volunteer execution

Australia has summoned the Russian ambassador following reports that an Australian volunteer fighting for Ukraine may have been killed while in Russian captivity.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government has been “seeking urgent clarification” on the situation, CNN reports.

“We have called in the Russian ambassador already. We will await the facts to come out. But if there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins, that is absolutely reprehensible. And the Australian government will take the strongest action possible.”

He declined to elaborate on what actions Canberra might take.

When asked whether Alexei Pavlovsky, the Russian ambassador, may be expelled, if the fact of the prisoner's execution was confirmed, Australia said ‘all options are being considered’.

A video of the beating of 32-year-old Oscar Jenkins emerged on social media last month. It showed a man's hands tied and Russian military interrogating and beating him. 

Speaking in a mix of English, Ukrainian and Russian, he identifies himself as “a soldier” and says he is a teacher in China and a student in Australia.

Later, it was reported that the body of the soldier was found in the same area where the video was filmed.

Australia requested comments from the Russian Federation on reports that the soldier may have been killed.

Jenkins is thought to have joined an international brigade as part of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, which have recruited foreign fighters since the full-scale war began in February 2022.