Ukrainian Journalist Victoria Roshchyna Dies in Russian Detention

A Ukrainian journalist, Victoria Roshchyna, who had been reported missing since August last year after traveling to Russian-held territories in eastern Ukraine for a report, has died while in Russian detention, according to Ukrainian officials. Roshchyna, who would have turned 28 this month, was a freelancer for various independent news outlets including Ukrainska Pravda and Hromadske Radio, and she had collaborated with Radio Free Europe.

News of her death was confirmed by Petro Yatsenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s prisoners of war coordination headquarters. “Unfortunately, information about Victoria’s death has been confirmed,” Yatsenko announced on Thursday, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of her death.

The press rights organization, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), expressed shock at Roshchyna’s death and offered condolences to her family. RSF has stated that the Russian authorities have not provided any information about her detention, despite repeated requests from her family, Ukrainian authorities, and the organization itself. The group urged that all circumstances surrounding her detention and death be made public.

Russian news outlet Mediazona reported that Roshchyna died while being transferred to Moscow from a prison in Taganrog, near the Ukrainian border. Her father was reportedly informed by Russia’s Ministry of Defence in May that she was being held in Russian custody. The exact location and conditions of her detention had remained unclear.

Thousands of Ukrainians who opposed Moscow’s rule have been detained in occupied territories since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Rights groups have accused Russian security forces of torturing many of those in detention. Ukrainian officials reported in May that over two dozen media workers were being held by Russia, and negotiations for their release are ongoing.

Roshchyna was known for her vivid accounts of life in Russian-occupied areas and documented significant events such as the defense of the port city of Mariupol after Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022. Her work earned her the Courage in Journalism Award in 2022 from the International Women's Media Foundation. RSF noted that she was the 13th journalist to die due to their work since the beginning of the Russian invasion.