According to Russian prosecutors, Jenkins, aged 33, was reportedly receiving a monthly payment of about $15,000 to participate in combat in Ukraine after journeying from Melbourne to join the conflict against Russia.

He was filmed in the courtroom today as guards released him from his handcuffs and put him behind a glass wall for court proceedings.

He briefly glanced at the camera before he heard his sentence of 13 years behind bars in a Russian prison.

Jenkins was taken into Russian custody in December last year.

He was captured in occupied eastern Ukraine and the Australian government has been calling for his release since.

One significant issue Jenkins is facing is that he is not being treated as a prisoner of war.

Instead, Russian authorities have called him a mercenary because he travelled from overseas to work alongside Ukrainian forces.

In the months since he was captured, there have been increasing concerns about his welfare. 

There was a time when inaccurate news claimed he had died, but then a video emerged showing Jenkins appearing weak as he was captured by Russian forces.