The Australian Ukrainian community is shocked at increasing media reports that Oscar Jenkins has been killed whilst being held as a prisoner of war by Russia and urges the Australian Government to respond with full force if reports are true.
“Based on mounting reporting, Oscar Jenkins appears to have been deliberately killed by Russian soldiers while being held as a prisoner of war. If confirmed, this will be devastating news,” said Kateryna Argyrou, co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO).
“Russia has an appalling track record of disrespecting international law and human rights, so we have feared the worst since first hearing Oscar had been captured. Russian forces are brutal, cruel and cold-blooded, with even the United Nations (UN) reporting last month on continued ‘widespread and systematic’ torture — including beatings, electric shocks, and sexual violence — of Ukrainian POWs by Russian authorities. The UN also recognised a ‘notable increase’ in credible allegations of executions of Ukrainian POWs, so it is absolutely sickening to think that Oscar may have faced such a fate.
“Australians must not forget the many recent examples of Russia’s behaviour. The Kremlin did not care 10 years ago when MH17 was shot down by Russian-controlled forces, killing 38 Australians. They did not care three weeks ago when Russian soldiers shot down an Azerbaijani Airlines flight on Christmas morning, killing another 38 innocent souls. They did not care when they planned and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.
“This is Russia today: a state which does not care about justice and the rule of law, or human rights and dignity; a state which does not care about the lives they take or those who are left behind to live in pain.
“The Ukrainian community urges the Australian government to urgently downgrade diplomatic relations with Russia if Oscar Jenkins is confirmed to have been executed at the hands of Russian soldiers. The Russian Ambassador should be expelled and ordered to leave on the first available flight, as should all Russian diplomats and spies. The Russian embassy should be closed, along with the Russian consulate in Sydney.
“The Government must respond with strength, conviction and moral clarity,” Ms Argyrou concluded.
