Official Canberra summoned Russian Ambassador Alexei Pavlovsky to the Foreign Ministry after reports appeared about the possible death of Australian Oscar Jenkins in captivity. 32-year-old Jenkins, who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2024, was shown on video where he was finished off.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed grave concern and threatened serious consequences if his death was confirmed. DW reports this.

The video, which surfaced on social media in December, shows Jenkins, 32, in uniform with his hands tied.. The Russian military interrogated and beat him. Australian authorities say they are seeking confirmation of his death..

" We are extremely concerned. We will wait for the facts to emerge. But if Oscar Jenkins was harmed, that's completely outrageous.. And the Australian government will take the strongest possible action,"

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said diplomatic relations with Russia should be reconsidered if Jenkins were killed..

“We must send a clear message to Russia and other similar regimes that Australians are untouchable, that they deserve protection from their government. If they have suffered such harm or been severely punished, as is alleged in this case, and we are waiting for confirmation, then the Prime Minister must respond strongly,"

The Russian Embassy in Australia is still referring to the statement of Maria Zakharova dated December 25. She called Jenkins a “mercenary” and assured that the department was “verifying information” about him.

Oscar Jenkins, a former teacher from Melbourne, had no combat experience before joining the Ukrainian defenders. His participation in the war was a personal choice, motivated by support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression.

Let us remind you that Ukrainian law enforcement officers have identified two Russian occupiers suspected of ill-treatment of Ukrainian civilians and committing war crimes. The invaders kidnapped and tortured the mother of a Ukrainian law enforcement officer, and one of them also systematically raped the woman.