Australian man reportedly killed after being captured while fighting for Ukraine

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - An Australian man who was fighting for Ukraine was killed after being captured by Russian forces last year, a report said Tuesday.

If confirmed, 32-year-old Oscar Jenkins would be the first Australian prisoner of war to die since the Korean War over 70 years ago.

Australian officials expressed "grave concern" about Jenkins' welfare and are making "urgent inquiries" in Moscow, said ABC News.

The Russian ambassador to Australia was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Monday to provide information about the incident.

Last month, reports emerged that Jenkins had been detained by Russian forces in Kramatorsk, located in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. At the time, social media platforms in Russia circulated a video featuring a man identifying himself as Oscar Jenkins, a biology teacher with residences in both Australia and Ukraine.

At least seven Australians have died fighting alongside Ukraine against Russian forces.

Separately, India announced Tuesday that it has taken up the case of an Indian national reportedly killed while serving in the Russian army. The Indian Foreign Ministry confirmed that another Indian national was injured and is being treated at a hospital in Moscow.

If confirmed, the death would bring the total number of Indian nationals killed while serving with Russian forces to nine.