In brief
Viktoria Roshchina, a brave 27-year-old Ukrainian journalist, reported from Russian-occupied regions and met her untimely death in Russian custody, prompting calls for investigation.
Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchina, 27, tragically died in Russian custody after disappearing in August 2023 while reporting from occupied territories. Known for documenting the Russian presence in southern Ukraine, her work posed considerable risks. Ukrainian human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, confirmed receiving documents from Russia about her demise, though the details remain mysterious. The Russian authorities are yet to comment on these allegations. Roshchina’s death has sparked outrage among journalists worldwide. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the Russian authorities for detaining her, demanding both Russian and Ukrainian officials probe this tragedy. Roshchina, a freelance reporter for various Ukrainian outlets, was celebrated for her courageous work, particularly in Russian-occupied territories. She was first detained in March 2022 but released after ten days. She disappeared again in August 2023 after entering occupied eastern Ukraine and was later confirmed to be held in Russia, according to Ukrainian reports.The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine reported that the Russian Defense Ministry informed Roshchina's father of her death on September 19, but the date remains unverified. Ukrainian military intelligence reported plans to transfer her to Moscow and back to Ukraine for a prisoner exchange, though this couldn't be confirmed. In 2022, Roshchina received the "Courage in Journalism" award from the International Women’s Media Fund for her reporting. The Fund described her death as not only a personal loss but a significant loss to the documentation of historical truths.
