“I wish to make an official statement that none of the mercenaries the West is sending to Ukraine to fight for the nationalist regime in Kyiv can be considered as combatants in accordance with international humanitarian law or enjoy the status of prisoners of war,” a defence ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by TASS after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Australian teacher captured by Russian forces in Ukraine war is alive, foreign minister confirms Oscar Jenkins left his job teaching to go fight for Ukraine before he was taken captive in December.
“We have made clear to Russia in Canberra and in Moscow that Mr Jenkins is a prisoner of war and Russia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law, including humane treatment.”.
“If Russia does not provide Mr Jenkins the protections he is entitled to under international humanitarian law, our response will be unequivocal,” Ms Wong said.
Oscar Jenkins, 32, a teacher who signed up to fight for Ukraine against Russia, was taken captive in December last year.
