Ukrainian journalist dies in Russian captivity

Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna has died in Russian captivity, according to Petro Yatsenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Coordination Centre for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Speaking on Ukrainian television today, Yatsenko confirmed her death, noting that the exact circumstances remain under investigation. Roshchyna would have turned 28 this month.

Roshchyna disappeared in August 2023 while working in Russian-occupied territories. RFE/RL’s Ukrainian service reported that she had travelled from Ukraine to Poland on 27 July last year before entering eastern Ukraine. Her last known communication was on 3 August 2023.

In April, Russia’s Ministry of Defence informed Roshchyna’s father by letter that she was being held by Russian authorities, although the reasons for her detention were not disclosed. She was one of twenty Ukrainian journalists known to have been detained by Russia for their reporting.

At least 16 journalists have been killed in Russian attacks since 2022

The Kyiv Independent reported that this was not Roshchyna’s first detention. In March 2022, she was held for ten days by Russian FSB officers after leaving Berdians’k for Mariupol. Berdians’k has been under Russian occupation since 27 February 2022. As a condition for her release, she was forced to record a video thanking Russian forces for saving her life.

Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov confirmed to Suspilne that Roshchyna was due to be part of an upcoming prisoner exchange. “Her return had been agreed. The latest information we had was that she had been transferred to Lefortovo prison to prepare for her return home”, Yusov said.

Lefortovo, a notorious Moscow prison, subjects inmates to extreme isolation and constant surveillance. The prison’s cells are cramped, with little natural light, and dim bulbs burn around the clock. Prisoners, such as ex-prisoner US journalist Evan Gershkovich, face extreme isolation, often with no news from the outside world and minimal contact with their lawyers.

According to the European Commission, as of 2 October, at least 16 journalists and media workers lost their lives while reporting on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) states that 19 journalists remain imprisoned in Russia, with the Russian authorities refusing to release any information about them.