Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was tortured and died in Russian captivity before her body was returned without vital organs, according to a joint media investigation published Tuesday. The report, released by Forbidden Stories and a coalition of international news organizations, alleges Roshchyna suffered severe abuse while detained in Russian-occupied southeastern Ukraine.
Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in 2023 after traveling to the Zaporizhzhia region to investigate reports of torture and illegal detentions in Russian prisons. Her remains were returned to Ukraine in February, emaciated and showing signs of mutilation. A forensic exam conducted by Ukrainian authorities documented a broken rib, neck trauma, possible electric burns on her feet, and signs of internal damage.
"Numerous signs of torture and ill-treatment" were found on her body, Yuriy Belousov, head of the War Crimes Unit at Ukraine's Prosecutor General's office, said. Belousov added that the absence of several organs suggested an effort by Russian authorities to obscure the cause of death and potentially hide evidence of a war crime.
Despite DNA confirming the identity, Roshchyna's father has expressed doubt and requested additional forensic testing. The journalist is the first known Ukrainian reporter to die while in Russian custody.
Russia returned the body of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, but it was missing some organs.
She had no internal organs in her head, no trachea, and no eyeballs. — Forbidden Stories investigation.
It was impossible to survive this kind of torture in Russian… pic.twitter.com/a9mGNZZoex — Victoria (@victoriaslog) April 29, 2025
In April, nearly eight months after her disappearance, Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed she had been detained in eastern Ukraine. Russian authorities later informed her family she had died on September 19 while being transferred from Taganrog to Moscow. No further explanation was given.
"Victoria's passing is not just the loss of a remarkable woman, but of an intrepid witness to history," the International Women's Media Foundation said. The group had awarded Roshchyna its Courage in Journalism honor in 2022 for her frontline reporting. "Regardless of her cause of death, we can say with certainty that her life was taken because she dared tell the truth."
Roshchyna had previously worked for Ukrainska Pravda and the Ukrainian service of Radio Free Europe. She was detained in 2022 by Russian forces for ten days while reporting in southeastern Ukraine.
Sevgil Musaieva, editor of Ukrainska Pravda, said Roshchyna saw her work in occupied territories as a mission. "Viktoriia was the only reporter who covered the occupied territories. For her, it was a mission," Musaieva told Forbidden Stories.
Ukraine's foreign ministry has demanded international accountability for civilian detentions. "The issue of civilian hostages abducted and held by Russia requires increased international attention and immediate and strong response," ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy posted Tuesday.
The Committee to Protect Journalists directly blamed Russia for her death. "Responsibility for her death lies with the Russian authorities, who detained her for daring to report the truth on the Russia-Ukraine war," the group said. "Ukrainian and Russian authorities must do everything in their power to investigate Roshchyna's death."
NBC News reported that Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Defense and Federal Penitentiary Service, have not responded to requests for comment.
According to Ukrainian officials and human rights groups, thousands of civilians remain detained in Russian-controlled territories, often without charges or access to legal representation. NGOs have warned that torture, forced disappearances, and communication blackouts are common features of the detention system.
Just hours after the report's publication, Russia launched a new wave of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine, targeting Kharkiv and Dnipro. At least one person was killed and 46 injured in the overnight attacks.
