An Australian citizen is believed to have been killed in Russian captivity, prompting Canberra to demand an explanation.

The Australian government will take decisive action if it is confirmed that Russia has harmed an Australian prisoner who was fighting for Ukraine. This was announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday, January 15.

The Russian ambassador in Canberra was summoned by the Australian Foreign Ministry, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

In December, a video surfaced on Russian Telegram channels showing 32-year-old Oscar Jenkins, dressed in military uniform and with his hands tied, being struck multiple times during an interrogation.

Oscar Jenkins is a 32-year-old biology teacher who claims to live in both Australia and Ukraine.

The Australian authorities have requested comments from Russia regarding reports that the Melbourne teacher was killed after being taken captive.

Premier Albanese stated that staff from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are trying to "urgently clarify" the situation concerning Jenkins.

"We call on Russia to immediately confirm the status of Oscar Jenkins. We are extremely concerned. We will await the emergence of facts. But if harm has come to Oscar Jenkins, it is absolutely outrageous. And the Australian government will take the most decisive measures," he told reporters.

On January 15, the Australian broadcaster ABC reported that Jenkins may have been killed. Journalists cited other foreigners fighting for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There is no official confirmation of this information.

Jenkins had no military experience prior to joining the Ukrainian defense forces at the beginning of 2024. Although other Australians have already died in battles in Ukraine, none of them have died in Russian captivity.

Albanese did not specify what measures Australia might take in the event of Jenkins's death. However, experts believe that the maximum Australia could do is expel the Russian ambassador, recall the Australian ambassador from Moscow, and impose additional sanctions against Russia.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who may become prime minister after the elections on May 17, stated that both the Russian and Australian ambassadors should return home if the Russians killed Jenkins.

"If it is confirmed that Oscar Jenkins was killed, the government must take the most severe measures, namely: recall the ambassador and expel the Russian ambassador from Australia," Dutton told reporters.

Australia is one of the most generous donors to Ukraine outside of NATO.

Three months ago, Australia announced that it would transfer 49 outdated M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, valued at $152 million. As a result, the total amount of military aid from Australia to Ukraine since 2022 will exceed $804 million.