Second BBC and Ukrainian media Ukrainska Pravda, Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna was discovered among the 757 bodies Russia has repatriated to Ukraine as part of an exchange dead of war. His body was initially erroneously labeled as an unidentified male with coronary damage. However, the forensic examiners found a handwritten tag who read “Roshchyna” on her leg and DNA tests confirmed its identity.
His remains were in a horrible condition: he burns the feet that indicate Torture of Electroshockbruises, broken ribs, a fractured ioid bone (municipalities in cases of strangulation) and the absence of eyes and brain. Ukrainian ministries say that the condition of the body suggests strongly serious physical abuses and tortureAlthough a definitive cause of death can be difficult to determine.
A journalist who dared to report from the occupied areas
Victoria Roshchyna was one of the Journalists only who have repeatedly entered the occupied areas to expose human rights violations. Had been Report on secret Russian detention structures AND Fill in the names of the FSB agents involved in interrogations and torture.
In 2022, he had been previously detained and subsequently released by Russian forces, but continued his undaunted work. Has studied sensitive stories, including the Kill of two Ukrainian boys of 16 years old and working conditions at Zaporizhzia nuclear power plant.
In July 2023, he left Ukrainian via Poland and Lithuania, finally entering Russia and proceeding in employed areas. He remained silent on August 3, pushing his family to denounce his disappearance.
Ocular accounts of torture
A joint investigation by The Guardian, The Washington Post and Ukrainska Pravda has collected testimonies from former prisoners, field workers and legal activists. They revealed it Roshchyna era Transferred to Melitopolwhere it was tortured electric shocks and supported knife wounds On the arts.
He was later transferred to the notorious Taganrog detention center Inside Russia: a structure known for hunger, the lack of medical care and torture. The witnesses said she He started losing mental healthcareHe could not bear and eventually refused food. At the time of his death, his body weight had fallen to 30 kg (66 pounds).
In August 2023, he spoke briefly with his parents by phone and said he would be released in September. However, on September 13, he was not among the 49 repatriated prisoners. Weeks later, his father received a letter from the Russian army claiming to have died September 19th.
A global protest
Public Prosecutor of Ukraine opened a Survey on war crimes in Roshchyna’s death. THE Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has requested stronger international pressure on Russia than the systematic kidnapping of civilians.
According to Ukrainian estimates, beyond 16,000 civilians were kidnapped by Russia From the beginning of the war, many of them Journalists, assistants for aid, local officials and religious leadersheld without accusations Over 180 detention structures through occupied territories and within Russia.
The Guardian reports it Evidence of war crimes are collected For future judicial proceedings, underlining that many prisoners take place without legal reasons.
Roshchyna’s The publisher described it as “One of the bravest journalists I’ve ever met.” His death is a chilling symbol of Risks that journalists face in the war areas—And brutality imposed on those who dare to reveal the truth.
