An Australian man, Oscar Jenkins, has been jailed for 13 years by Russian forces on charges of being a “mercenary” for fighting with Ukraine. The move has sparked outrage from the Australian government, which claims Russia is conducting a sham trial and failing to treat Jenkins as a prisoner of war.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Russia was obligated to give Jenkins humane treatment as he was a full member of Ukraine’s regular armed forces. The 33-year-old man from Melbourne was convicted in a Russian-controlled court in Ukraine’s Luhansk region and sentenced to 13 years in a strict regime penal colony.
The Australian government is working with Ukraine, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other partners to advocate for Jenkins’ release and provide consular support to his family. Russia claims Jenkins took part in combat operations against its military personnel between March and December last year. The government has repeatedly called on Russia to release Jenkins, a former biology teacher.
The case highlights the tensions between Australia and Russia over international humanitarian law. Russia considers foreigners fighting in Ukraine as mercenaries, allowing it to prosecute them under its criminal code rather than providing protections and rights under the Geneva conventions.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/16/australian-man-captured-while-fighting-for-ukraine-jailed-for-13-years