The ABC has learnt that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) first learned of concerns for the welfare of the 32-year-old last month, with those close to the former teacher not knowing his whereabouts for months.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday refused to say if the government would consider a prisoner swap deal, but reiterated that they had made representations to the Russian government on Mr Jenkins's behalf.

 

Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins may have been 'missing' in Ukraine for months    Exclusive by defence correspondent Andrew Greene and David Estcourt

 

An American soldier who previously served alongside Mr Jenkins in Ukraine's armed forces has also described his anguish at recently learning his friend had been captured by the enemy and his urge to want to run into battle to save him.

"First thought I wanted to do was get the f*** up, find out how to f***ing get to him and be the f***ng person to drag his ass out of prison camp," the US foreign fighter has told the ABC's AM program.

The American national, who asked to be identified only by his call sign "Forrest" because he was still serving in Ukraine, said his Australian comrade was a selfless soldier, willing to face danger and often gave away money to those who needed it.

"He was ready to go [to the] frontline with no armour, no weapon, and just there to kill Russians and keep Ukrainians safe, like, he was in it for Ukraine," Forrest said.

"He was very patriotic and he was the hell of a damn good soldier too … everything he did was to keep f***ing Ukrainians safe," he added.

Forrest, who only learnt of his Australian friend's capture after the publication of the Russian military's hostage video, told the ABC he was "just worried sick about him".

A diplomatic source familiar with Mr Jenkins's case said the Australian government did not doubt the authenticity of the hostage video that emerged on the weekend, but said authorities were yet to determine precisely when it was recorded.

Mr Jenkins's family in Melbourne declined to comment about his situation when contacted by the ABC on Monday but were receiving consular support from DFAT officials.

On Monday afternoon, Russia's ambassador to Australia, Alexey Pavlovsky, was called into a meeting at DFAT headquarters in Canberra for about half an hour but declined to comment as he entered and left the building.

Russia urged to adhere to international law

In a statement on Monday, Acting Foreign Minister Mark Dreyfus urged the Russian government "to fully adhere to its obligations under international humanitarian law, including with respect to prisoners of war".

"I reiterate the government's clear advice to all Australians — do not travel to Ukraine."

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham welcomed the decision to call in Mr Pavlovsky for a meeting on Tuesday, but added that the government needed to explain what steps it was taking to locate Mr Jenkins and ascertain his wellbeing.

Australian pro-Kremlin propagandist Simeon Boikov — known by his online moniker Aussie Cossack — has reposted the apparent hostage video, stating that he should be part of a prisoner swap deal.

The outspoken social media figure is the leader of the Australian Cossacks, which styles itself as a military unit, and is holed up in the Russian consulate in Sydney to avoid an arrest warrant for an alleged assault.

Last week, prosecutors also revealed that a "significant volume" of foreign language material had allegedly been found on the devices of two accused Russian spies, Kira Korolev and her husband Igor, leading to delays in their espionage case.

At least seven Australians are believed to have died fighting in Ukraine since Russia's invasion began in 2022, but Oscar Jenkins is believed to be the first to be captured and held as a prisoner of war.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-24/australian-soldier-captured-in-ukraine-missing-months/104759098

 

NOTE THAT RUSSIA HAS LONG DECLARED THAT "MERCENARIES" WILL NOT BE TREATED LIKE "PRISONERS OF WAR" BUT LIKE "TERRORISTS"... BUT GO AHEAD AND MAKE A SWAP WITH AUSSIE COSSACK....

 

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.

 

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

 

HYPOCRISY ISN’T ONE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS SINS.

HENCE ITS POPULARITY IN THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS…

 

 

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME RUSSIA IF WW3 STARTS. BLAME YOURSELF.