Captured Russian journalist receives Freedom Order posthumously
In a poignant display of recognition, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded journalist Victoria Roshchina posthumously with the Order of Freedom on August 2, 2025. This honour was bestowed upon Roshchina for her unwavering commitment to truth and her courage in the face of adversity during the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Roshchina, a civilian, was captured by Russian occupiers in March 2022 in Berdyansk and later died in captivity in Russia. Although the exact timeline of her capture and detention remains somewhat unclear, it is known that she was detained during the hostilities and later perished while in Russian custody.
Roshchina's work on the front lines and temporarily occupied territories, including Crimea, Donetsk, and Mariupol, saw her produce several reports for U.P. about the realities of life under occupation. Her unflinching reporting of the truth earned her respect and admiration, but also put her in grave danger.
On August 3, 2023, Roshchina disappeared while making a report on the occupied Russian territory. Her family and colleagues were left in limbo for months, waiting for any news of her whereabouts. In May 2024, Russia acknowledged for the first time that they had detained Roshchina, but did not keep their word to release her.
Roshchina's body, bearing numerous signs of torture, was returned to Ukraine in February 2024. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation sent a letter confirming her detainment to her father, Vladimir Roshchin. It was later revealed that Roshchina was killed by Russians while in captivity in October 2024.
President Zelensky stated that Victoria Roshchina deserves respect and eternal memory. In acknowledging her sacrifice and contribution amid the conflict, Zelensky honoured Roshchina posthumously with the Order of Freedom, a testament to her courage and commitment to truth in the face of danger.
References:
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- Presidential Office of Ukraine
- The general-news coverage surrounding the horrific death of journalist Victoria Roshchina, who was killed by Russians while in captivity in October 2024, was dominated by discussions about crime-and-justice, as her unflinching reporting on the Russo-Ukrainian War and life under occupation made her a symbol of truth and courage amid the conflict.
- As the investigation into Roshchina's murder progresses, there has been growing pressure on Russian politics to hold those responsible accountable for her death, with international human rights organizations calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her capture, detention, and eventual death in Russian custody.
