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December 14, 2025 – Ukraine/Russia –
The Ukrainian government has begun issuing long-awaited state compensation payments to the families of journalists killed while carrying out their professional duties, marking a significant step toward recognizing the risks faced by media workers during Russia’s full-scale invasion.
According to Ukrainian officials, the first compensation payment has been granted to the father of Viktoriia Roshchyna, an investigative journalist who died in Russian custody after reporting from occupied territories. Roshchyna’s case has become emblematic of the dangers Ukrainian journalists face, particularly those covering war crimes, occupation, and human-rights abuses in frontline and occupied areas.
The payments are being issued under a state mechanism designed to support families of journalists who were killed or died as a result of their professional work during the war. Authorities say the initiative aims to affirm that journalists are not merely observers of the conflict, but civilians performing an essential public service under extreme and often life-threatening conditions.
Media unions and journalism organizations have welcomed the move as an important acknowledgment of responsibility and dignity. However, they stress that financial compensation, while necessary, cannot substitute for accountability or justice. Advocates continue to demand thorough investigations into the deaths of journalists, including those who were killed in shelling, targeted attacks, or who died in detention.
The case of Viktoriia Roshchyna has drawn particular attention due to the circumstances surrounding her death. She was detained while reporting in Russian-occupied territory and later died in custody, raising serious concerns among press-freedom and human-rights groups. Her family and colleagues have called for an independent international investigation into her treatment and death.
Journalism organizations in Ukraine also note that securing funding for such compensation has been a challenge amid wartime budget constraints. Nevertheless, they argue that prioritizing support for journalists’ families sends a powerful message about the value of independent reporting in a democracy under attack. Some have urged the government to ensure the process is transparent, accessible, and extended to all eligible families without bureaucratic delays.
Beyond financial support, unions are calling for broader protections, including safety training, insurance coverage, and legal support for journalists operating in high-risk environments. They warn that without sustained commitment, the war’s toll on the media community will continue to grow.
As Ukraine continues to defend itself militarily and politically, the start of compensation payments is being viewed as a symbolic and practical recognition that journalists, too, are among the war’s fallen — and that their families deserve both support and respect.
Reference –
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/12/13/8011657/index.amp
