The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) is devastated to learn about the capture of Australian man, Oscar Jenkins, by russian forces whilst he was helping to defend Ukraine.
The distressing footage – which shows Oscar being interrogated and hit by his russian-speaking captor – is a stab in the heart for any Australian-Ukrainian.
Our community has family and loved ones on the frontline, in areas formerly occupied by russian forces, and in currently occupied regions of Ukraine. We know how brutal and violent russian forces can be, the ways they seek to degrade and dehumanise their captives, their disrespect for norms of behaviour.
The capture of Oscar is also of extreme concern because of the well documented widespread and systemic use of torture on Ukrainian prisoners-of-war by russian forces. Within our own Australia-Ukrainian community, we have welcomed a former Ukrainian prisoner of war, Oleksandr Sinytskyi, who has described the torture he endured at the hands of russian soldiers. He was beaten, electroshocked, attacked by dogs, and forced to stay on his feet in his cell, which was designed for four but which held nine.
It is horrific that a young man who has chosen to help Ukraine resist an illegal and lawless invasion is now in the hands of russian occupying troops.
As Australians, we must do everything in our power to ensure Oscar is released. He’s one of our own and we must help him and his family at this time. The AFUO will support all efforts by the Australian Government to assist this young man as a matter of urgency.
We will hold Oscar and his family in our thoughts and prayers at this extremely difficult time.
