Ukrainian-Aussie community shocked by possible execution of Oscar Jenkins by Russia

The Ukrainian community in Australia is deeply shocked and outraged by reports that suggest Russian forces may have executed Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins, who fought for Ukraine and was captured by Russian troops last month.

“Based on mounting reporting, Oscar Jenkins appears to have been deliberately killed by Russian soldiers while being held as a prisoner of war. If confirmed, this will be devastating news,” said Kateryna Argyrou, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and a UWC Board of Directors member.

Russia’s consistent disregard for international law and human rights led the AFUO to fear the worst when they first learned that Jenkins, 32,  had been captured in eastern Ukraine.

“Russian forces are brutal, cruel and cold-blooded, with even the United Nations (UN) reporting last month on continued ‘widespread and systematic’ torture – including beatings, electric shocks, and sexual violence,” the statement said.

The AFUO has urged Australians to remember Russia’s broader crimes, recalling the destruction of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 by Russian military forces, which resulted in the deaths of 38 Australian citizens.

“The Kremlin did not care […] three weeks ago when Russian soldiers shot down an Azerbaijani Airlines flight on Christmas morning, killing another 38 innocent souls,” the statement said. “They did not care when they planned and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.” 

The Ukrainian community has called on the Australian government to respond to this tragedy “with strength, conviction and moral clarity.”

In response to the reports of Jenkins’ killing, Australia has summoned the Russian ambassador and pledged to “take the strongest possible action” if the information is confirmed.

Earlier, former Ukrainian Attorney General Andrii Kostin said that the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war is not an isolated incident but part of Russia’s deliberate policy.

At least seven Australians are believed to have been killed fighting in the Russo-Ukrainian war since February 2022, according to ABC News Australia. Jenkins was the only Aussie captured and held prisoner, the news report added.