Australia seeks counselor access to its citizen captured by Russian forces while 'fighting for Ukraine'

ISTANBUL

Australia on Monday asked Russia to provide its citizens detained by Russian forces in Kramatorsk, Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, with consular access under international law.

Russia's ambassador to Australia has been summoned for a meeting with diplomatic officials as concerns grow over a Melbourne man detained while fighting for Ukraine's armed forces, ABC News reported.

Russian Ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky met with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials for about half an hour on Monday afternoon but refused to comment as he entered and exited the headquarters, according to the media outlet.

Earlier on Sunday, social media platforms in Russia shared a video of a man with his hands tied and dirt on his face being hit in the head while an unseen person questions him in Russian.

In response, the man introduces himself as Oscar Jenkins, 32, and explains that he is a biology teacher who lives in both Australia and Ukraine.

He was asked why he was in Kramatorsk—almost 700 kilometers (435 miles) east of Kyiv—and if he was being paid to fight.

According to his LinkedIn account, he is currently a lecturer at Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College in China, where he has worked since 2017, the report said.

However, it is unclear when he left China and how he arrived in Ukraine, ABC News reported.

Jenkins grew up in Melbourne, where he attended the prestigious Melbourne Grammar School.

At least seven Australians have died fighting Russians on behalf of Ukraine.

Acting Foreign Minister Mark Dreyfus said the government had made representations to Russia, urging them to comply with international law while they worked to locate Mr. Jenkins and provided consular assistance to his family.

“Our immediate priority is understanding where Mr. Jenkins is and confirming his well-being. We are providing consular support to Mr. Jenkins’ family. I reiterate the government’s clear advice to all Australians: Do not travel to Ukraine,” he added.