Russian authorities have filed criminal charges against Australian national Oscar Jenkins, accusing him of acting as a “mercenary in an armed conflict.” This comes four months after the former teacher was captured while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.
In a statement, the Prosecutor’s Office for the Russian-occupied Lugansk region confirmed it had “approved the indictment in the criminal case against 33-year-old Australian Commonwealth citizen Oscar Charles Augustus Jenkins.”
According to details from local media, the indictment claims Mr Jenkins arrived in Ukraine in February 2024 and fought against Russian troops between March and December that year, allegedly earning between $11,000 and $15,000 a month for his involvement.
Authorities allege that Jenkins traveled to Ukraine of his own accord to secure financial gain by participating as a mercenary in combat against Russian forces.
Following the indictment’s approval, the case was sent to the Supreme Court of the self-declared Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), where Jenkins could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
It’s alleged the Australian signed a contract with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence to serve in the 66th Separate Mechanised Brigade and underwent military training before participating in combat in both the LPR and the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government remained committed to advocating for Mr Jenkins.
“We will continue to make representations to Vladimir Putin’s reprehensible regime on behalf of Mr Jenkins and use all available diplomatic channels to raise this case,” Mr Albanese stated.
Russia has consistently classified foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine as “mercenaries,” a designation that strips them of prisoner of war protections under the Geneva Convention and exposes them to criminal charges.
Just last month, British citizen James Scott Rhys Anderson was sentenced to 19 years in a Russian prison on terrorism and mercenary charges after his capture in November while fighting for Ukraine in the Kursk region.
In February, another video surfaced showing Mr Jenkins in Russian custody, where he was seen having his blood pressure checked while his captors mocked him, claiming the reading proved he was “not dead.”
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not yet commented on these latest developments. Earlier this month, it was reported that Russia’s ambassador to Canberra had departed and had yet to be replaced.
