Archive · 19 May 2025
Australian Man Sentenced by Russia for Fighting with Ukraine
An Australian man named Oscar Jenkins was sentenced to a long time in a Russian prison.
Russia said he was fighting as a soldier for Ukraine, which they consider a crime.
Jenkins was captured in December and appeared in a video.
The Australian government is very upset, calling it unfair and demanding his release.
Australia has been helping Ukraine by giving them money and military training.
Russia believes that people fighting as mercenaries shouldn't be treated as prisoners of war, but Australia wants him treated fairly under international law.
An Australian man, Oscar Jenkins, was sentenced to 13 years in a Russian prison.
Jenkins was found guilty of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine against Russia.
He was captured in December last year and was seen in a video posted on Telegram.
Australia has condemned the sentencing and called it a "sham trial."
Australia has been a vocal critic of Russia's invasion, providing approximately USD 1 billion in assistance to Ukraine.
- Who
- Oscar Jenkins, an Australian national.
- What
- Jenkins was sentenced to 13 years in a Russian prison.
- When
- The sentencing occurred recently, after Jenkins was captured in December last year.
- Where
- The sentencing took place in a Russian-controlled court in eastern Ukraine.
- Why
- Jenkins was found guilty of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine against Russia.
Australian Perspective
Russian Perspective
Legal Status
Australian Perspective
Australia and others consider Jenkins to be a soldier who should be treated in accordance with international humanitarian law and demand his release.
Russian Perspective
Mercenaries are subject to prosecution and not entitled to prisoner-of-war protections.
- Sentence
- 13 years
- Prison Type
- Maximum-security prison
- Nationality
- Australian
- Period of Fighting
- March to December, 2023
- Alleged Pay
- USD 7,400 - USD 10,000 per month