The Russian Embassy in Australia has blamed Australia for failing to take responsibility for Oscar Jenkins, who left Melbourne to fight for Ukraine.

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.

Russian officials have confirmed Oscar Jenkins is alive, Penny Wong has said, ending nearly a month of uncertainty around the captured Australian fighter’s fate.

It comes as the Russian embassy accuses Australian politicians and media of promoting an anti-Russian narrative.

Oscar Jenkins went missing on Dec. 16 in 2024 while on a combat mission near the village of Mykolaivka in Luhansk Oblast.

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.

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 Oscar Jenkins is alive as a prisoner of war in Russian territory and his welfare is "normal", according to Russia's ambassador after execution fears.