bimba-news.in.ua

Russia has confirmed the capture of an Australian citizen.

Россия подтвердила задержание гражданина Австралии.

The video featuring Jenkins circulated on social media in December. In the footage, Russian soldiers interrogate and beat him. ABC reported that his comrades believed Jenkins was dead. Moscow claims otherwise, as stated by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on January 29.

The Russian ambassador to Australia, Alexey Pavlovsky, informed the Australian government that Jenkins is being held in custody within Russia. International humanitarian law prohibits the prosecution of military personnel solely for engaging in combat; however, Moscow labels foreign nationals serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces as mercenaries, asserting that these rules do not apply to them.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Moscow to release Jenkins and demanded that he be given the protection entitled to prisoners of war, as reported by ABC. She promised a "clear-cut" response if this is not addressed.

Jenkins had no military experience prior to joining the Ukrainian army. Russian sources indicated that the Australian obtained a bachelor's degree in biomedicine and worked as an English teacher in China.