Oscar Jenkins, 33, was convicted in a Russian-controlled court in occupied eastern Ukraine on Friday of fighting in an armed conflict as a mercenary.
Mr Jenkins, a teacher from Melbourne, was captured last December in the Luhansk region.
Prosecutors said he arrived in Ukraine in February 2024, alleging he was paid between 600,000 and 800,000 rubles (£5,504 and £7,339) a month to take part in military operations against Russian troops.
The article seems to claim that this guy is a mercenary, but someone in the comments is claiming that this guy is not a mercenary because he is a member of the UAF’s foreign legion. I don’t know if there is any additional context here that I am missing.
someone in the comments is claiming that this guy is not a mercenary because he is a member of the UAF’s foreign legion
Irrelevant. All foreign fighters choosing to involve themselves in this conflict are mercenaries as far as Russia and the Russian justice system are concerned. They have repeatedly said this and have warned how they treat mercenaries. If you still go it’s a case of FAFO.
The article seems to claim that this guy is a mercenary, but someone in the comments is claiming that this guy is not a mercenary because he is a member of the UAF’s foreign legion. I don’t know if there is any additional context here that I am missing.
Irrelevant. All foreign fighters choosing to involve themselves in this conflict are mercenaries as far as Russia and the Russian justice system are concerned. They have repeatedly said this and have warned how they treat mercenaries. If you still go it’s a case of FAFO.
Other articles about him definitely mention him being a member of the Ukrainian International Legion.