The Tragic Story of Viktoriia Roshchyna
Viktoriia Roshchyna, a young and fearless journalist who reported from occupied Ukraine, met a tragic end while in Russian captivity. Her journey came to an end when she was finally laid to rest in Kyiv, marking the conclusion of a harrowing chapter in her life. Colleagues and experts alike believe that her death was not a result of natural causes but rather a consequence of the brutal treatment she endured during her imprisonment.
A Journalist at the Frontlines of War
From the moment Russia invaded Ukraine, Roshchyna dedicated herself to reporting on the realities faced by people in the occupied regions. At just 27 years old, she risked her life to bring the truth to light. Her courage ultimately cost her everything—she was captured by Russian forces two years ago and never returned. She spent 15 months in a prison in Taganrog, a city in southern Russia, before dying during a transfer to Moscow last autumn.
Her final resting place is now in Kyiv, where she was buried in the renowned Baikove Cemetery. This burial marks the culmination of a long and painful search for answers about her fate.
The Circumstances of Her Death
The news of Roshchyna’s death was officially announced on October 10, 2024. She had disappeared during a trip to the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, and her family had waited anxiously for any sign of her return. According to Andriy Yussov, a representative of the Ukrainian military intelligence service, Roshchyna was expected to be part of a prisoner exchange. However, this never happened during her lifetime.
Russia only handed over her body in February 2025, along with the remains of 756 fallen soldiers. Roshchyna was listed as number 757 and marked as "unidentified male." Her father later received a letter from the Russian Ministry of Defense confirming her death on September 19, 2024.
Forensic Evidence of Torture
An international investigative project known as the Viktoriia Project, led by Forbidden Stories and involving major global media outlets, examined the case. The investigation revealed that the body numbered 757 was indeed that of a woman, and DNA testing confirmed it was Roshchyna with a 99% match.
However, due to the condition of the body and its mummification, the exact cause of death could not be determined during the initial forensic examination. Experts found signs of severe torture, including bleeding on multiple parts of the body and a broken rib. There were also indications that she may have been subjected to electric shocks. The injuries were inflicted while she was alive, leading investigators to believe she was tortured.
Missing Organs and Possible Cover-Up
Further findings revealed that some internal organs, including the brain, eyeballs, and part of the trachea, were missing. One pathologist suggested that these absences might have been intentional to conceal the fact that Roshchyna died from strangulation or suffocation.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has launched a criminal investigation into her case, treating it as a war crime involving intentional murder.
A Prison Known for Brutality
Roshchyna was previously arrested in March 2022 in Berdyansk, a port city in southern Ukraine, and held in a Russian prison. She was released after ten days in exchange for Russian soldiers. However, she disappeared again during a trip to the occupied territories, and for nearly a year, her fate remained unknown.
The Taganrog remand prison, where she was last held, is described as a place of extreme brutality. Tetyana Katrychenko of the Media Initiative for Human Rights called it "hell on earth," noting that it is where many prisoners, including those from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, are held. Those who have been released speak of terrible torture there.
Colleagues Remember a Fearless Journalist
Roshchyna’s death shocked her colleagues, who remember her as a courageous and determined reporter. Tetjana Kosak, editor-in-chief of Graty, described her as someone who "stood firm in her convictions" and had a bright professional future ahead of her. Ye, deputy editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda, praised her authenticity and tenacity, calling her one of the most difficult journalists he had ever worked with.
"She took every correction personally, but no matter what happened, Vika remained true to herself as a journalist," he said. "Russia killed her, no matter what they are saying there now."
A Career Cut Short
At the start of her career, Roshchyna had already made a name for herself. She worked for several reputable outlets, including Ukrayinska Pravda, Novosti Donbassa, Censor.net, Radio Free Europe, and Hromadske. In 2022, she was awarded the "Courage in Journalism Award" by the International Women's Media Foundation for her reporting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Recognition and Honors
As of May 2025, the Ukrainian parliament submitted a request for Roshchyna to be posthumously awarded the title of “Heroine of Ukraine.” The presidential office confirmed that the decision had been made, and on August 2, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded her the Order of Freedom, recognizing her civic courage, patriotism, and dedication to defending Ukraine's sovereignty.
Her story serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in times of war and the sacrifices made by those who seek to tell the truth.