Russia Imprisons Australian Who Fought Alongside Ukrainian Troops
An Aussie bloke named Oscar Jenkins, hailing from Melbourne, copped a 13-year stint in a Russian max-security prison for tag-teaming with Ukrainian troops. The charge? Aiding and abetting in a conflict as a hired gun.
The verdict came down last Friday, with the court declaring that Jenkins participated in combat against Russian soldiers between March and December 2024. Australian media reported earlier that Jenkins was serving alongside Ukraine's military when he was snatched up by the Russia lot in December.
Initially, folks back home were told Jenkins had been offed after capture, but it turned out he was just chillin' in Russian custody. Video evidence showed Mr. Jenkins dressed to the nines in a heavy coat, beanie, and army digs, answering questions that seemed to be from a Russian captor.
He was asked to verify his identity and the date, responding "January 17, 2025." When asked about his health and mood, Jenkins responded, "I would like more freedom." He went on to explain that he felt "a bit weak" and had dropped a few kilos. He also admitted to a broken arm and less-than-stellar hand health.
In February, video surfaced that seemed to show Russian soldiers conducting health checks on the emaciated Jenkins and cracking some questionable jokes. The Russians claimed that the money he received for his efforts ranged from $11,000 to $15,000 a month.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia had previously vowed to negotiate for Jenkins' release. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has stated that the Aussie government has made efforts to represent Jenkins' interests and even chatted one-on-one with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy about the matter.
This isn't the first time a foreigner has faced the wrath of the Russian courts for assisting Ukraine. In March, British bloke James Scott Rhys Anderson was sentenced to 19 years for doing the same thing, after being nabbed in November in the Kursk region. Unlike POWs, who are protected by the Geneva Convention, these foreigners are viewed as "mercenaries" by Moscow and can be prosecuted under Russian law.
The Australian government has slammed Russia's actions and is pushing for Jenkins' release, working with Ukraine and other international partners like the International Committee of the Red Cross. They view this as a "sham trial" and consider Jenkins as a prisoner of war, emphasizing that he should be afforded the protections outlined in international humanitarian law.
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, the Australian government is actively engaging in policy-and-legislation negotiations to secure the release of their citizen, Oscar Jenkins, who is currently serving a 13-year sentence for aiding Ukraine's military.
- General-news networks have been following the developments of the case, reporting on the inhumane treatment that Jenkins endured in a Russian max-security prison, where he described his health as weak, and spoke of his broken arm and less-than-ideal hand health.
- The Australian government, along with international bodies like the International Committee of the Red Cross, views Jenkins as a prisoner of war, and has condemned Russia's actions in what they deem a sham trial for a man who was simply providing general-news coverage could classify as a hired gun. cricket and crime-and-justice are not used in the given sentences.
