Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday Russia has reported Oscar Jenkins is alive and in custody. The Australian man went to Ukraine to fight against Russia's invasion and was feared dead.

Australian officials believe Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins, who travelled to fight in defence of Ukraine, is alive and in Russian captivity, rather than dead as had been feared.

On 14 January, Australia summoned Russian ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky to answer questions about Mr Jenkins’s status. “The Russian Federation is obligated to treat all prisoners of war in accordance with international humanitarian law,” a spokesperson said in a statement at the time.

A Melbourne school teacher has been confirmed alive two weeks after he was feared killed by Russian forces amid the Ukraine war. Oscar Jenkins, who has no military background, volunteered to fight for Ukraine despite the Australian Government’s plea for citizens not to join the country’s military efforts.

The Australian government has been told by Moscow that one of its citizens in Russian captivity is still alive. Oscar Jenkins, a 32-year-old teacher, was captured last year while fighting for Ukraine.

Moscow might keep Australian war prisoner Oscar Jenkins for a future high-profile swap with Russians held in jail in the West, an expert says.

An Australian national who was reportedly killed after his capture by Russian forces in Ukraine is alive, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Wednesday. “The Australian government has received confirmation from Russia that Oscar Jenkins is alive and in custody,