After weeks of uncertainty, the federal government has confirmed it's been told by Russia that Australian prisoner of war Oscar Jenkins is alive and in custody.

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.

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.

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

Russia might continue detaining an Australian man to carry out a high-profile prisoner swap in the future, an expert says.

Australia says Russia has confirmed that national Oscar Jenkins is alive. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had warned of severe consequences if reports he was killed after capture turned out to be true.

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.