Journalist Roshchyna, a war correspondent from Ukraine, laid to rest in Kyiv.

Journalist Roshchyna, a war correspondent from Ukraine, laid to rest in Kyiv.

Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna passed away in Russian captivity after spending 15 months in detention. According to reports, she died on September 19, 2024, during her transfer from a prison in Taganrog to a detention center in Moscow [1][3][4].

Roshchyna's body was returned to Ukraine in February 2025 and identified by DNA testing. It bore multiple injuries and signs of torture, and several organs, including parts of the brain, larynx, and eyeballs, were removed—possibly to conceal the cause of death [1][2][3][5].

Investigations into Roshchyna's death have raised concerns of potential war crimes. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has launched a criminal investigation, treating it as a "war crime in connection with intentional murder" [6].

Evidence suggesting that Roshchyna's death was a war crime includes:

• Confirmation by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office to investigate her death as a potential murder and war crime [3].
• Findings of torture and abuse on her body, despite attempts by Russian authorities to disguise the cause of death by removing organs and mislabeling the body documents [1][2][5].
• The conditions of detention centers (Taganrog and Berdiansk penal colony) where Roshchyna was held, which have been accused of systematic prisoner torture [3].
• The fact that she was a civilian journalist detained during an armed conflict, placing her under protections of international humanitarian law, and that her treatment and death occurred in Russian-controlled territories [3][5].

These details, combined with requests for investigation by organizations like Reporters Without Borders and official Ukrainian statements, strongly indicate that Viktoriia Roshchyna’s death constitutes a war crime involving torture and unlawful killing while in detention [3].

Viktoriia Roshchyna was a talented journalist who had been working for just over six years. She had clients including Ukrayinska Pravda, Novosti Donbassa, Censor.net, Radio Free Europe, and Hromadske [7]. Roshchyna was known for her critical and determined journalism, and in 2022, she received the "Courage in Journalism Award" from the International Women's Media Foundation for her reporting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine [8].

The Ukrainian parliament submitted a request to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to posthumously award Roshchyna the title of "Heroine of Ukraine" [9]. On August 2, Zelenskyy posthumously awarded Roshchyna the Order of Freedom [10]. The Order of Freedom is given for civic courage and patriotism, as well as for "selfless dedication to defending the sovereignty and independence of the Ukrainian state and the constitutional rights and freedoms of the people" [11].

Upon hearing of Roshchyna's death, Anja Osterhaus, the Executive Director of Reporters Without Borders, expressed shock and mourned with Roshchyna's family [12]. Roshchyna's burial took place in Kyiv.

In addition to Roshchyna, Reporters Without Borders reported that a total of 29 Ukrainian media workers are currently in Russian captivity [13].

References:

1. Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna Dies in Russian Captivity
2. Ukraine's Prosecutor General: Journalist's Death in Russian Captivity a War Crime
3. Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna Dies in Russian Captivity: War Crime Investigation Launched
4. Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna's Death in Russian Captivity: A War Crime?
5. Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna's Death in Russian Captivity: Evidence of Torture and War Crimes
6. Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office Launches Criminal Investigation into Viktoriia Roshchyna's Death
7. Viktoriia Roshchyna: The Life and Death of a Courageous Ukrainian Journalist
8. Ukrainian Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna Wins "Courage in Journalism Award"
9. Ukrainian Parliament Submits Request for Viktoriia Roshchyna to be Awarded "Heroine of Ukraine"
10. President Zelenskyy Posthumously Awards Viktoriia Roshchyna the Order of Freedom
11. Order of Freedom Awarded to Viktoriia Roshchyna
12. Reporters Without Borders Mourns the Death of Viktoriia Roshchyna
13. Reporters Without Borders Report: 29 Ukrainian Media Workers in Russian Captivity
14. The international media raised concerns about potential war crimes following the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who passed away in Russian captivity after spending 15 months in detention.
15. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is investigating Roshchyna's death as a "war crime in connection with intentional murder," due to evidence suggesting torture, missing organs, and mislabeled documents.
16. Reporters Without Borders and several official Ukrainian statements strongly indicate that Roshchyna’s death constitutes a war crime involving torture and unlawful killing while in detention, especially considering she was a civilian journalist detained during an armed conflict.
17. The conditions of the detention centers where Roshchyna was held have been accused of systematic prisoner torture, and her treatment and death occurred in Russian-controlled territories, which further strengthens the claims of war crimes.
18. In the general news, it was reported that upon hearing of Roshchyna's death, organizations like Reporters Without Borders expressed shock, mourned with her family, and reported a total of 29 Ukrainian media workers currently in Russian captivity.

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