<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>337236</docID> <postdate>2025-01-29 17:18:17</postdate> <headline>Australia confirms war prisoner held alive by Russians</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-337237" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax-2.webp" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></p> <caption>Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins is reported to be alive. (HANDOUT/'SLADKOV+' TELEGRAM ACCOUNT)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Dominic Giannini</b> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australian Oscar Jenkins is detained by Russian Armed Forces members and alive, Russia's ambassador to Australia has told officials.</strong></p> <p>Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia had received confirmation the prisoner of war was alive following fears of his execution.</p> <p>But serious concerns remain about his welfare, Senator Wong said as she called for his release.</p> <p>"The Australian government has received confirmation from Russia that Oscar Jenkins is alive and in custody," she said in a statement on Wednesday.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>"If Russia does not provide Mr Jenkins the protections he is entitled to under international humanitarian law, our response will be unequivocal."</p> <p>Russia's ambassador to Australia advised officials Mr Jenkins was in their custody on Russian territory and his health condition was "normal".</p> <p>Senator Wong said she had also spoken with her Ukrainian counterpart and the International Committee of the Red Cross president.</p> <p>Australia is working with Ukraine and the Red Cross to access Mr Jenkins and independently verify his welfare.</p> <p>The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to Mr Jenkins' family.</p> <p>Mr Jenkins was the first Australian combatant reportedly captured by Russian forces and his death would have marked the first for an Australian prisoner of war in more than 70 years.</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Russian authorities had told Australian officials Mr Jenkins was alive but he was reticent to offer official confirmation just prior to Senator Wong's statement.</p> <p>"If that is the case it certainly would be welcome," he told ABC TV on Wednesday.</p> <p>"It's something that we have demanded information on and we are demanding more information so that we can be certain that what has been suggested is, in fact, the case."</p> <p>In a social media video circulated in December, Mr Jenkins was shown speaking a mix of broken Russian and English.</p> <p>The Russian embassy in Canberra has been contacted for comment.</p> </body>