Sushmita S. Preetha Advocates for Women’s Rights and Safety in Journalism
April 29, 2025
Russian Heating Scandal and Press Freedom Advocacy Highlight Tensions in the Arctic
April 29, 2025
April 29, 2025 – Ukraine –
Ukrainian investigative journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna has become a tragic symbol of the growing dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones, after confirmation that she was tortured and killed while held in Russian captivity. Roshchyna, who was just 27 years old, had built her reputation by courageously reporting from areas occupied by Russian forces, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas. She was abducted by Russian troops in August 2023 near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant while investigating conditions in occupied territories. For over a year, her whereabouts remained unknown.
In February 2025, her body was among 757 returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner-of-war exchange. Initially mislabeled as a male, DNA testing confirmed it was Roshchyna. An independent forensic analysis revealed severe injuries and signs of prolonged torture. Her fingers were broken, electric burn marks covered parts of her body, and internal organs—including her eyes, brain, and larynx—were removed. These findings suggest deliberate mutilation to hide evidence of abuse and identity, making her case an alarming example of the brutal conditions faced by detainees.
Roshchyna had been previously detained in 2022 but continued her reporting, refusing to be silenced. Her work focused on secret Russian detention centers where Ukrainian civilians have reportedly faced psychological and physical abuse. She was one of the few journalists with direct access to such stories, and her death is believed to be directly connected to her efforts to expose war crimes and systemic repression.
The Ukrainian government has opened a criminal investigation into her death, describing it as a war crime under international law. Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, have condemned her killing and called for international pressure on Russia. Her death underscores the immense risks journalists take to pursue truth and justice in wartime. As Russia continues its occupation of Ukrainian territories, the need to protect journalists has never been more urgent. Roshchyna’s sacrifice highlights why a free press remains essential for holding power to account and defending human rights across borders.
Reference –
https://kyivindependent.com/roshchyna-body-russian-captivity/
