Australian Jailed for 13 Years in Russia for Fighting with Ukraine

Australian national Oscar Jenkins has been sentenced to 13 years in a Russian maximum-security prison for fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. The sentencing took place in a courtroom in Luhansk, a city in eastern Ukraine currently under Russian control. Footage released by ABC News shows Jenkins appearing in court. An indictment alleges that the 33-year-old arrived in Ukraine in February 2024 and fought against the Russian army between March and December of that year. The court found Jenkins guilty of participating in an armed conflict as a mercenary, claiming he was paid up to \$15,000 a month. Earlier this year, false reports of Jenkins' death prompted Australia to summon the Russian ambassador. The case highlights the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its impact on international relations.