Viktoriia Roshchyna went missing in August 2023 in an area of Ukraine currently occupied by Russian forces. After a lengthy nine-month period, Russian authorities confirmed her detention without providing any justification for her arrest.
Recently, her father received a letter from the defense ministry in Moscow, which informed him of Viktoriia’s death at the age of 27. The notification stated that her body would be returned as part of a prisoner exchange arrangement between Russia and Ukraine. The letter indicated that she had passed away on September 19, though it offered no further explanation.
Vigil for Viktoriia
This weekend, friends and colleagues gathered in central Kyiv to honor Viktoriia’s memory. They stood together, holding her photograph as her bright smile shone through the somber gathering.
“She demonstrated immense courage,” one tribute began. “We will miss her dearly,” another attendee said, with tears in her eyes. Viktoriia’s reporting provided crucial insights into life in Ukraine during a time when such narratives were scarce.
Despite the dangers of reporting from occupied territories, Viktoriia’s determination to cover these areas remained unshaken, even after a prior detention of ten days.
“Her family urged us to refrain from sending her into danger, but she was driven by her mission,” a former colleague reminisced. “It was impossible to prevent her from going.”
Ultimately, she decided to work as a freelancer, enabling her to report on the ground and sell her stories upon her return. Notably, she never concealed her identity, openly referring to “occupied” territories and using the term “traitors” for collaborators with the Russian forces.
“Viktoriia aimed to shed light on the realities faced by cities under siege from the Russian army,” a colleague stated. “Her commitment was truly remarkable.”
Detention
According to her father, Viktoriia traveled through Poland and Russia last July, heading toward occupied regions of Ukraine. A week later, she communicated that she had undergone intense interrogation at the border.
By May, she was held at the notorious Detention Centre No. 2 in Taganrog, southern Russia, known for its harsh treatment of detainees. A recently released Ukrainian citizen reported seeing Viktoriia in early September, raising hopes for her release.
“We were convinced she would be back on September 13,” her colleague mentioned, having received solid assurances about her inclusion in an upcoming prisoner exchange. However, she was ultimately moved and not part of the expected swap.
Reports indicated that Viktoriia was transferred to Lefortovo prison in Moscow, a facility often linked to espionage-related detentions, suggesting she may have been subjected to further investigations.
Her father last spoke to her on August 30. During their conversation, she mentioned a hunger strike but agreed to eat again after his urging. Calls for accountability have arisen, as Ukraine’s intelligence confirmed her death while transitioning the investigation from illegal detention to murder.
No charges were filed against her in Russia, and the circumstances surrounding her detention remain unclear. “A civilian journalist captured by Russian forces and then informed of her death? It amounts to killing hostages,” stated a Ukrainian legislator.
Civilian Hostages
The ongoing conflict has resulted in numerous civilian detentions in areas overtaken by Russian military forces. Families of the detained, including Viktoriia’s, are left in anguish over their missing loved ones, without clear information on their fates.
Currently, a compiled list includes 1,886 names of those detained, encompassing a diverse range of individuals, from ex-soldiers to local officials. Unfortunately, very few have access to legal representation or assistance from humanitarian organizations, making their return home a challenging ordeal.
Viktoriia’s friends and former colleagues are resolute in their determination to investigate her death and ensure her story is told. “Her work defined her life,” remarked a former editor. “We must honor her by uncovering the truth behind her untimely demise and completing her unfinished narratives.”
