Russia: Urgent investigation needed into death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna in Russian captivity

Ukraine's government spokesperson confirmed the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna while being transferred from southwestern city of Taganrog to Moscow, the capital for a prisoner exchange on 19 September. The International and the European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) join their affiliates, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine (IMTUU) in condemning Roshchyna's death and urge Russian authorities to disclose the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. Russia's government bears sole responsibility for Roshchyna's death and for the safety of all journalists in Russian captivity.

Credit: NUJU's Facebook.

On 10 October, Ukraine government spokesperson Petro Yatsenko reported the death of Ukrainian investigative journalist Viktoria Roshchyna. The reporter went missing while reporting in the Russian-occupied territory in August 2023. Russia's Ministry of Defence confirmedher detention in May 2024.

Roshchyna, 27, was a freelance journalist working for prominent Ukrainian media outlets. She was known for her reporting on life in the Russia-occupied Ukraine, including the unlawful elections led by the Kremlin, the situations in the Kherson region and at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. She died in a Russian prison but the circumstances of her death remain unknown. The Ukrainian general prosecutor's officedeclaredthat her death will be investigated as a "war crime and murder".

"The IFJ and the EFJ together with their affiliates had been relentlessly campaigningfor Roshchyna's release and the release of all Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity. Roshchyna's death is a tragedy. We call authorities for an independent investigation into Roshchyna's death, with clear and transparent explanations. All our support goes to her family and the journalists in captivity who must be freed," claimed the IFJ and the EFJ.

NUJU president Sergiy Tomilenko said: "We are deeply shocked by the death of our colleague Viktoria Roshchyna. Her death highlights the grave danger faced by journalists under occupation. We urge for an immediate and thorough international investigation into the Russian captivity and the circumstances surrounding her death. Additionally, we call on the international community to intensify pressure on Russia to secure the release of all Ukrainian journalists illegally detained by the occupiers."

IMTUU chairperson Serhiy Shturkhetskyy said: "The terrible news about the death of journalist Viktoria Roshchyna once again confirms the sad fact that Russia kills their prisoners. We call on our colleagues across the world; the IFJ and the EFJ to press international institutions and advocate for the release of at least 30 journalists in Russian captivity and all hostages"