Australian sentenced to 13 years in jail for fighting against Russia in eastern Ukraine

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – A court in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk sentenced Australian national Oscar Charles Augustus Jenkins to 13 years in jail at a high-security penal colony for acting as a mercenary in the ongoing conflict, according to local judicial authorities.

The Supreme Court of the region, known by Russian officials as the Luhansk People's Republic, ruled that Jenkins had violated the Russian Criminal Code, which prohibits the participation of mercenaries in armed conflict.

According to authorities, Jenkins arrived from Melbourne in February 2024 to participate in military operations in Ukraine.

He reportedly signed a contract with the Ukrainian Defense Ministry at a recruitment center in Ternopil before being assigned to the Russian-controlled Shchurovo area of the Donetsk region.

The court stated in its ruling that Jenkins participated in armed military activities from March to December 2024 and received monthly payments. He continued military activities until late December, said a court statement.

Regions such as Luhansk and Donetsk are internationally recognized as part of Ukraine, but have been under Russian administration since 2022, following referendums and declarations that were rejected by most countries.