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’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.

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 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.

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 ...

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.

India's efforts to pare back a longstanding reliance on Russian military hardware is bearing fruit after the courting of new Western allies and a rapidly growing domestic arms industry, analysts say.

Half a century ago, KGB agent Gerontiy Lazovik recruited an ASIO spy to sell state secrets to the Soviet Union. But this former spymaster's plans for an easy retirement now lay in tatters.

Now, officials are bracing for a potentially changed security landscape under President Donald Trump. He has criticized America's allies and lambasted its intelligence agencies. He's been accused of disregarding secrecy rules and hoarding classified documents.