Australia’s Ukrainian community calls for Oscar Jenkins to be included in prisoner swaps or risk being ‘forgotten’

<p>Exclusive: Local group calls on Penny Wong to push Russia for Jenkins’ priority inclusion in ongoing prisoner swaps program with Ukraine</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Australia’s Ukrainian community is urging the Albanese government to intervene to have captured soldier Oscar Jenkins included in planned prisoner swaps, warning he risks becoming a “forgotten” prisoner of Russia’s war.</p><p>Jenkins, a 33-year-old former teacher and Australian citizen, travelled to Ukraine and enlisted to fight with the country’s military following Russia’s 2022 invasion. After being captured by Russian forces in December 2024, he was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/16/australian-man-captured-while-fighting-for-ukraine-jailed-for-13-years">jailed for 13 years</a> on the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/19/australia-to-advocate-for-melbourne-man-reportedly-charged-by-russia-after-fighting-for-ukraine">charge of being a “mercenary”</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/06/oscar-jenkins-ukraine-russia-prisoner-swap-request">Continue reading...</a>