Canberra vows to take decisive measures if death of Australian soldier by Russian fire confirmed

An Australian citizen serving alongside Ukrainian soldiers may have been killed by Russian fire with Australian authorities promising to take "take the strongest action possible" should this news be verified as true. 

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made this promise, as Caliber.Az reports citing Australian media, following the suspected death of Oscar Jenkins who voluntarily served alongside Ukrainian forces. 

"We will wait for the facts to emerge. But if any harm has come to Oscar Jenkins, this is absolutely condemnable, and the Australian government will take the most decisive measures," Albanese urged.

The publication reports that the Australian government has already approached Russian authorities with a request to immediately confirm the status of Oscar Jenkins and remains "deeply concerned" about reports of his death.

The comments follow efforts by officials to confirm reports of Jenkins' death in Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong previously cautioning that Russia's ambassador in Canberra could be expelled if harm to the Australian is confirmed.

Minister Wong further recalled, that that official Canberra has maintained "very complex relations over many years" with Russia under various governments.

"We will consider the facts once they are established, but I want to make it clear that all options remain on the table," Wong said.

As Australian media reports, Jenkins is a teacher from Melbourne who served alongside Ukrainian forces. He was captured by Russia last year when shortly afterwards a video was released, showing him being questioned about whether he was a mercenary.

By Nazrin Sadigova