In a harrowing revelation, the body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna has been found to exhibit numerous signs of torture, leading to international outrage and calls for accountability. Roshchyna, who was 27 years old at the time of her death, was reported missing in August 2023 while covering the ongoing conflict in Russian-occupied Ukraine. Her fate remained uncertain until her body was returned to Ukraine on February 14, 2025, during a prisoner exchange.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine, Roshchyna's body was marked with various injuries, including abrasions, bruises, and a broken rib, suggesting she had been subjected to severe mistreatment during her captivity. Yuriy Belousov, head of the War Department at the Prosecutor General's Office, stated, “The bodily injuries were inflicted during her lifetime. Therefore, there is a high probability that torture was applied to her.”
Experts have also noted possible signs of electric shock on her body. Disturbingly, some of her internal organs, including her brain, eyeballs, and part of her trachea, were missing. An international pathologist suggested that the absence of these organs might indicate an attempt to conceal the true cause of death, possibly strangulation.
Roshchyna was first reported missing on August 3, 2023, during what was believed to be her fourth reporting trip to Russian-occupied territory. She had been documenting the harsh realities faced by civilians under occupation, including the terror inflicted by Russian forces and their local collaborators. Despite warnings from her editors at Hromadske TV, Roshchyna was determined to continue her work, believing it was vital to expose the truth.
In May 2024, the Russian Federation finally acknowledged that they were holding Roshchyna in custody. However, it was not until October 2024 that her father received a letter from the Russian defense ministry confirming her death. The letter provided no details on how she died, leaving her family in anguish and disbelief.
In the months following her disappearance, various media outlets, including FRANCE 24 and the investigative consortium Forbidden Stories, have been working to uncover the circumstances surrounding her captivity and death. Their investigation revealed that Roshchyna was likely held in Taganrog SIZO-2, a notorious detention facility known for its brutal treatment of prisoners.
Witnesses have recounted the horrific conditions within the prison, where Roshchyna was allegedly subjected to electric shocks, beatings, and other forms of torture. One former detainee recalled, “During interrogations, they used electric shocks. She got stabbed a few times – I saw them on her: arm for sure, leg too.”
Roshchyna’s final months were marked by extreme physical and psychological abuse. After a year in detention, she was reportedly in such poor health that she had to be carried out on a stretcher and was hospitalized for several weeks. Despite her deteriorating condition, her captors continued to deny her basic rights, including access to legal representation.
On September 13, 2024, Roshchyna was expected to be part of a prisoner exchange, but she was not among those released. Her father received a letter weeks later stating that she had died on September 19, 2024. The circumstances of her death remain shrouded in mystery, as Russian authorities have denied any record of her detention.
The investigation into Roshchyna’s death has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has classified her case as a war crime, and a formal investigation is underway. Activists and journalists around the world are demanding justice for Roshchyna and an end to the systematic abuse of detainees in Russian custody.
Roshchyna was known for her fearless reporting and dedication to uncovering the truth. She had previously received the Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation for her work. Colleagues described her as a passionate journalist who was willing to risk everything to document the realities of life under occupation.
Her disappearance and subsequent death have highlighted the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones, particularly in regions controlled by oppressive regimes. As the investigation continues, the international community is urged to pay attention to the plight of those who remain imprisoned, often without charge, in Russian detention facilities.
Roshchyna’s story serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by journalists in their pursuit of truth. Her legacy will live on as others continue to fight for justice and accountability in the face of oppression.
