A Journalist's Tragic Death and the Fight for Truth
Dozens of mourners gathered in a cathedral in central Kyiv on Friday to honor the life and memory of Victoria Roshchyna, an independent journalist who died at the age of 27 while in Russian captivity. Her body, which was returned by Russia in February, remained in a closed coffin during the service, symbolizing the mystery surrounding her death.
Roshchyna, a freelance journalist who contributed to several Ukrainian news outlets, disappeared in August 2023 during a reporting trip to the Moscow-controlled part of Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region. She died over a year later, with her body showing "numerous signs of torture," including abrasions and a broken rib, according to Kyiv. The circumstances of her arrest were never disclosed, and Russia has not provided any explanation for her death.
During the funeral service, the priest spoke about the suffering she endured, stating, “The most important thing in journalism is to report the truth. And they don’t like the truth.” He was referring to the Russian authorities, highlighting the risks journalists face when uncovering uncomfortable truths.
Many attendees at the event were fellow journalists, some of whom broke down in tears when the cameras were not rolling. A joint investigation by Reporters Without Borders and the Ukrainian investigative outlet Slidstva revealed that Roshchyna was arrested in Energodar, a city in southern Ukraine, and was later held for several weeks in the Russian-controlled city of Melitopol. From there, she was transferred to a jail in the Russian port city of Taganrog.
According to the investigation, upon arrival, she had scars and "knife wounds" on her body, as reported by a cellmate. During her time in Taganrog, she stopped eating and was placed in solitary confinement. These conditions have raised serious concerns about the treatment of detainees in Russian custody.
Thousands of Ukrainians opposed to Moscow’s rule have been detained in occupied territories since Russia’s invasion in 2022, many of whom have faced torture by security forces, according to human rights organizations. Ukraine has stated it will pursue criminal charges against the governor of the prison in Taganrog where Roshchyna was held, accusing him of subjecting her to "systemic torture, beatings, humiliation, threats, severe restrictions on access to medical care, drinking water, and food."
Ukraine has described her death as "premeditated murder" and accused Russia of committing a war crime. A UN expert panel last year called for the Russian government to provide answers regarding her death. While Russia does not comment on the treatment of individual prisoners, it claims to be committed to investigating torture and abuse within its penal system.
At the funeral, Roshchyna’s father, Volodymyr, kept his eyes fixed on the coffin, while her sister watched closely. They held hands throughout the ceremony, showing their deep emotional connection.
Angelina Karyakina, editor-in-chief at Ukrainian news outlet Hromadske, where Roshchyna worked, described her as a tireless and ambitious journalist who preferred to work independently. “She didn’t like to depend on other people,” Karyakina told AFP. “She would take the camera herself, often shoot photos and videos on her own, and was a one-woman band.”
Roshchyna contributed to various independent news outlets, including Ukrainska Pravda, and collaborated with the Ukrainian service of US-funded media outlet Radio Free Europe. In 2022, she was awarded the Courage in Journalism award by the International Women’s Media Foundation for her reporting from eastern Ukraine.
After the church service, mourners moved to Kyiv’s main square, where Radio Liberty editor Taras Ilkiv paid tribute to her “historic work” in the occupied territories. His voice broke as he spoke. “I am convinced that Viktoria believed like no one else that these are our people, in Mariupol, in Berdyansk, in Kherson,” he said, referring to cities captured by Russia during the war. “Almost no one is capable of such work,” he added.