Russia says

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 while fighting for Ukraine last year.

“The Australian government confirmed Russia that Oscar Jenkins is alive and detained,” foreign minister Penny Wong said in a statement on Wednesday.

Earlier, there were reports that Mr. Jenkins was killed in captivity, citing “serious concerns” for his welfare.

“We still have serious concerns as a prisoner of war for Mr. Jenkins,” Wong’s statement said.

It also called Russia to release him and reiterated Australia’s stance that the Russian association was bound to treat all the prisoners of the war according to the International Human law.

The prisoners of the war are protected from all acts of violence or threats by the Geneva Conference.

Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanis had said that the government was confirming the “immediate demand” that Mr. Jenkins was alive.

The Ukraine ambassador to Australia was quoted by the Australian broadcasting corporation saying that it was “good news”, but called Moscow to provide “video proof” of his goodness.

Mr. Jenkins is believed to be the first Australian to be held as a prisoner of war fighting for Ukraine.

In December last year, a video appeared in which Mr. Jenkins was shown, in which his hands were tied, hit on face and questioned by Russian forces.

He explains that he is a teacher and also a soldier who lives in both Australia and Ukraine.

They ask him if he is being paid to fight in Ukraine.