Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government is working to prove that the volunteer was killed by Russian soldiers.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to take “very strong” action against Russia if it is proven that Russian soldiers killed a Melbourne school teacher while he was being held captive in Ukraine.
Albanese made the comments on Wednesday after Seven News reported that Oscar Jenkins, who had volunteered to fight with Ukrainian forces, was believed to have been killed.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it could not confirm the report, which cited an unspecified location in Ukraine, but officials were “deeply concerned” for Jenkins' safety.
“We are asking Russia to confirm Oscar Jenkins' condition, we are very worried,” Albanese told reporters in Tasmania.
“We will wait for the facts to come out. But if there is anything wrong with Oscar Jenkins, then it is a crime and the Australian government will take very strong action.”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has previously said authorities are making “urgent inquiries” about Jenkins and “all options” are being considered in response to inquiries, including the expulsion of the Russian ambassador.
“My thoughts are with the Jenkins family. They have been dealing with the fear and uncertainty of a loved one in the middle of a foreign war for many months. I know these reports will hurt them deeply, and they are in my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of many Australians,” Wong told ABC Radio.
Wong said Australia has had a “difficult relationship” with Russia over the years, citing Russia's role as a whole. attack Ukraine in 2022 and the fall of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 and a Russian-made missile in 2014 with the loss of 298 lives, including 38 Australians.
“We have maintained, Australia has maintained its relationship with Russia at that time under different governments. However, we will consider all options when we know the facts and confirm what happened here with Mr. Jenkins,” said Wong.
A video that aired on social media last month showed Jenkins in a military uniform being questioned and hit on the head by an invisible Russian-speaking man.
The 32-year-old is believed to be the first Australian to be held as a prisoner of war by Russia in Ukraine.
Not including Jenkins, at least 6 Australians believe killed in Ukraine since Russia began its invasion.
If his death is confirmed, Jenkins will be the first Australian prisoner to be killed by a foreign force since Horace William “Slim” Madden died while in captivity in North Korea in 1951.