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# Russian TV airs a first interview with jailed Australian Oscar Jenkins
- URL: https://www.bushletter.com/russian-tv-airs-first-interview-jailed-australian-oscar-jenkins/
- Published: 2026-08-31T04:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-31T04:29:59.000Z
- Description: Oscar Jenkins has given his first interview since a Russian court sentenced him to 13 years' imprisonment, filmed inside a jail in Russian-occupied Luhansk by Australian journalist Mark Lowe.
- Author: Editor
- Tags: News, Australia, Oscar Jenkins

![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png)

By **Caleb Reed** · 2026-08-31

TLDR

Melbourne man Oscar Jenkins, sentenced to 13 years by a Russian court on mercenary charges Australia disputes, has given his first interview since conviction. Australian journalist Mark Lowe filmed Jenkins inside a jail in Russian-occupied Luhansk. Jenkins said he had offered to fight for Russia and defended his decision to join Ukraine's armed forces.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Australian journalist Mark Lowe filmed Jenkins inside a prison in Russian-occupied Luhansk.

02Jenkins was convicted in May 2026 and sentenced to 13 years on Russian mercenary charges.

03Australia classifies Jenkins as a prisoner of war entitled to Geneva Convention protections.

04Jenkins told the interviewer he had written a statement offering to fight for Russia.

05Australia's practical options remain limited to consular assistance and international advocacy.

Oscar Jenkins has given his first interview since a Russian court sentenced him to 13 years' imprisonment, filmed inside a jail in Russian-occupied Luhansk by Australian journalist Mark Lowe.[\[1\]](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/?ref=bushletter.com)

Jenkins, a Melbourne man who travelled to Ukraine in early 2024 to join its regular armed forces, was convicted in May 2026 on charges of acting as a mercenary in an armed conflict.[\[1\]](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/?ref=bushletter.com) Australia disputes that characterisation entirely.

Jenkins defended his decision to join Ukraine's forces. "It felt like the right thing to do; if a country invades another country, why?" he said.[\[4\]](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-31/australian-oscar-jenkins-first-interview-russia-conviction-13-yr/107095560?ref=bushletter.com)

Jenkins also told Lowe he had written a statement offering to switch sides. "I've written a statement saying that I'd be happy to fight as a soldier for Russia," he said.[\[4\]](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-31/australian-oscar-jenkins-first-interview-russia-conviction-13-yr/107095560?ref=bushletter.com)

The Australian Government condemned the trial as a sham and urged Russia to comply with international humanitarian law.[\[2\]](https://www.dfat.gov.au/taxonomy/term/3239?ref=bushletter.com) The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade classifies Jenkins as a full serving member of the regular Armed Forces of Ukraine and a prisoner of war.[\[2\]](https://www.dfat.gov.au/taxonomy/term/3239?ref=bushletter.com)

Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention entitles members of regular armed forces captured during an international conflict to prisoner-of-war status and its protections.[\[3\]](https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gc-iii-1949?ref=bushletter.com) Russia has not recognised that status in Jenkins's case.

Australia's practical options remain limited to consular assistance and advocacy at international forums, with no direct mechanism to compel Russia's compliance.[\[2\]](https://www.dfat.gov.au/taxonomy/term/3239?ref=bushletter.com)

SOURCES & CITATIONS

1. [Oscar Jenkins interview footage, Luhansk prison](https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/?ref=bushletter.com)
2. [DFAT consular statement on Oscar Jenkins](https://www.dfat.gov.au/taxonomy/term/3239?ref=bushletter.com)
3. [Third Geneva Convention, Article 4, ICRC](https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gc-iii-1949?ref=bushletter.com)
4. [Oscar Jenkins first interview since conviction](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-31/australian-oscar-jenkins-first-interview-russia-conviction-13-yr/107095560?ref=bushletter.com)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does Australia say Jenkins is a prisoner of war and not a mercenary?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade classifies Jenkins as a full serving member of the regular Armed Forces of Ukraine. Under Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention, regular armed forces members captured in an international conflict are entitled to prisoner-of-war status, which carries legal protections a mercenary conviction would deny.

What can Australia actually do for Jenkins?

Australia's options are confined to consular assistance and raising the matter at international forums. Canberra has no direct legal mechanism to compel Russia to release Jenkins or recognise his prisoner-of-war status.

What did Jenkins say about fighting for Russia?

Jenkins told journalist Mark Lowe that he had written a statement saying he would be happy to fight as a soldier for Russia.

![Caleb Reed](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262572/bushletter/authors/caleb-reed.png)

[Caleb Reed](https://bushletter.com/author/caleb-reed/?ref=bushletter.com)

Caleb Reed covers breaking news and sport. He works to the rhythm of a story as it unfolds, and he is happiest when the facts arrive faster than anyone can spin them.