Journalist Victoria Roshchyna died in Russian captivity

The journalist went missing on August 3, 2023, during her trip to the Russian-occupied territories.

Spokesman at the Headquarters General department of treating of POWs with the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Yatsenko informed that Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna who went missing during her trip to the occupied territories and was imprisoned in the Russian territory, died in Russian captivity.

"We have done an internal investigation and, sadly, the information was confirmed. We knew Victoria; this is a heartbreaking news for us and for Ukrainian journalistic community. It is still premature to talk about the circumstances of her death, but once we know them, the perpetrators will be prosecuted because such crimes have no statute of limitations," Yatsenko said.

He added that the work was carried out to release Victoria. At the moment, the cause of her death is being determined.

"Her transfer from Taganrog to Moscow was a stage of preparation for her release," said he. According to the information from the department of treating of POWs, Russians still hold about 25 Ukrainian journalists in captivity.

In his comment for Suspilne, Andrii Yusov, representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, said that Roshchyna had been on the exchange list. "Her release was agreed, and, according to the latest information we know, she had been transferred to the Lefortovo prison for getting ready to return home," said he.

Victoria was in touch with her family for the last time on August 3, 2023. On July 27, 2023, Roshchyna went from Ukraine to Poland to get to the Russian-occupied territories in the east of Ukraine via Russia in three days’ time.

Victoria Roshchyna worked with media such as RFERL, Ukrainska Pravda, hromadske, Ukrainian Radio, UA:Pershyi and Censor.net.