
Following the reports of a Melbourne man who was killed after being captured by Russia while fighting for Ukraine, the Australian government has summoned the Russian ambassador.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese who made this known on Wednesday while speaking during a media conference said the government had asked Russian authorities to immediately confirm the status of Oscar Jenkins and remained concerned over reports that he had been killed.
“We’ll await the facts to come out. But if there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins, that’s absolutely reprehensible, and the Australian government will take the strongest action possible,” Albanese said.
When asked if Australia would expel the Russian ambassador or recall its envoy in Moscow, Albanese said his government would determine its response after confirming all reports.
READ ALSO:
- Russian Newspaper: Ukraine Drone Strike Killed Our Reporter
- Russian Army Captures Another Village In East Ukraine
- Russian Nuclear Protection Chief, Kirillov Is Dead
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia had been maintaining a very difficult relationship with Russia under different governments, adding that the Russian ambassador was summoned by the foreign ministry earlier this week.
“We will look at the facts when they have been ascertained, but I want to be clear that all options are on the table,” Wong said.
Jenkins was a teacher from Melbourne who also served in Ukraine’s military when he was captured by Russia last year as a prisoner of war.
The reports said that a video taken at the time showed him, dressed in combat uniform, being asked if he was a mercenary.
Recall that Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West’s support for Ukraine and has been supplying aid, ammunition, and defence equipment.
It has banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.