Ukrainian journalist dies in prison year after she disappeared

A Ukrainian journalist famous for her work on Russian occupation died in detention, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed earlier this week.

Viktoriia Roshchyna, 27, disappeared without a trace in August 2023 in an undisclosed location in Ukraine that Russia now occupies. Her family was informed about her detention nine months after she went missing.

On October 10, Roshchyna’s father received a dreaded letter from the Russian defence ministry informing him about his daughter’s death.

What happened?

The journalist’s death has shocked Ukraine and brought back painful memories of other media workers who have been killed during the war.

Roshchyna was held at the infamous pre-trial detention center in the Russian city of Taganrog which is known for using torture against captives.

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A spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, Andrii Yusov, told Suspilne media that Roshchyna would have tasted freedom after a long period of captivity as she was part of the latest prisoner exchange deal.

Yusov said her release was final and she was transferred to Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, “in preparation for her return home.” However, she reportedly died on September 19.

The circumstances of her death are not clear yet.

Who was she?

Roshchyna started reporting as a teen and covered important events around Ukraine.

Yevheniia Motorevska, her ex-colleague, told Kyiv Independent, “All of her topics were either connected to the war, organized crime or prosecution of activists.”

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When Russia initiated its full-scale invasion, Roshchyna was on the ground reporting from Shchastia in Luhansk Oblast, one of the first cities to fall under occupation. Throughout the invasion, she covered events for various Ukrainian media, including Ukrainska Pravda and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

The perils of reporting in Russian-occupied areas did not stop Roshchyna as she risked her life to document these regions.