Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government will take the “strongest action possible” if Russia has harmed an Australian who was taken prisoner while fighting for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s ambassador says Australia should be wary of rumours put out by pro-Russian propagandists about the disappearance of Oscar Jenkins, warning it is “50-50” if the Melbourne-born man is dead or alive.

Australia has vowed it will take the “strongest action possible” if Russia has harmed one of its nationals captured fighting for Ukraine, after reports emerged the prisoner of war may have been killed.

"There has been no transfer of the body (of Oscar Jenkins)," Ukraine's Ground Forces Command told a Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet Slidstvo.Info.

“Over the course of next year, Putin will likely face mounting domestic problems. Russia’s central bank has forecast economic growth of 0.5 to 1.5 per cent in 2025, down from 3.5 to 4 per cent in 2024, suggesting that the wartime boom may have run its course.”

The Prime Minister said on Wednesday morning that Australia would take the 'strongest possible action' against Russia if it is confirmed Mr Jenkins has been killed. 'We call upon ...

The Australian tennis star was paid to play in the unofficial event, which was backed by a state-owned energy company blacklisted by the Australian government.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia summoned the Russian ambassador over reports a Melbourne man had been killed after being captured by Russia while fighting for Ukraine, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday.

Tennis Australia says it has advised its players against competing in Russia following reports that Davis Cup team member Thanasi Kokkinakis was featured in an exhibition in St. Petersburg two months ago.

Aryna Sabalenka’s bid for a third consecutive Australian Open championship will continue after she got past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in a surprisingly difficult quarterfinal.

Tennis Australia made it clear that they respect their government's recommendations and therefore advised its players against taking part in any tournaments taking place on Russian soil. After it was reported that Thanasi Kokkinakis apparently participated in an exhibition event staged in St. Petersburg, that raised some eyebrows in Australia.