Asger Risom
Victoria Roshchyna, missing since 2023, was detained without charges; autopsy reveals abuse before death
Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who vanished while reporting from Russian-occupied territory, has been confirmed dead.
Her body, returned to Ukraine in February as part of a corpse exchange, showed clear signs of torture and internal organ removal, according to Ukrainian prosecutors and forensic experts.
Months of Silence, Then a Shocking Discovery
Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while documenting life under Russian occupation in southeastern Ukraine.
For nine months, her family received no information. It was only in early 2024 that Moscow officially acknowledged her detention. By September, she was declared dead; her family was notified in October.
According to HotNews.ro, the journalist’s remains were returned to Ukraine labeled as those of an “unidentified male.” DNA testing was required to confirm her identity. Due to the body’s advanced state of decomposition, the precise cause of death could not be established.
Yuriy Belousov, head of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s war crimes unit, confirmed that the autopsy revealed “numerous signs of torture and mistreatment,” including scratches, internal bleeding, a broken rib, and possible electric shock marks—all sustained while she was still alive.
Detained Without Trial, Died During Prisoner Transfer
Roshchyna is among thousands of Ukrainian civilians reportedly detained without formal charges by Russian authorities in occupied territories. She was transported to Russia and held incommunicado.
Ukrainian officials say she died during a transfer between a detention center in Taganrog—known for systemic abuse—and Moscow, allegedly in preparation for a prisoner exchange.
Petro Yatsenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, confirmed the transfer timeline. CNN has previously reported on the inhumane conditions in Taganrog, citing survivors who described routine torture, starvation, and lack of medical care.
A Voice Silenced, but Not Forgotten
Roshchyna had worked for independent outlet Hromadske and was known for covering critical frontline developments.
“She was determined to do her job right,” recalled former editor Evgeniya Motorevska. “She was always where the most important things were happening for the country.”
As Ukraine continues to investigate her death in cooperation with international experts, Victoria Roshchyna’s story stands as a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones—and of the brutality inflicted upon civilians in Russian custody.