A recent probe by Ukrainian media and forensic officials uncovered chilling facts about the death of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was seized by Russian troops in 2023 while covering human rights abuses in occupied Zaporizhzhia.
Forensic Evidence Points to Torture and War Crimes
Forensic examination has verified that the 27-year-old journalist suffered terrible torture while in captivity. “Abrasions and hemorrhages on various parts of the body, a broken rib, neck injuries, and possible electric shock marks on her feet,” were all recorded in the examination, as Yuriy Belousov, head of the War Crimes Unit at the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office, reports.
Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was tortured to death in Russian captivity, The Guardian
Her body was returned without eyes, brain, or larynx. Burn marks on her feet. Stab wounds. Broken rib. Signs of strangulation. 1/ pic.twitter.com/g4nmcIIpPe
— Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) April 30, 2025
Belousov also indicated that her body had already been autopsied when it was brought back to Ukraine, and several organs were missing. “The missing organs could signal that Russia attempted to hide the cause of death, possibly to conceal that it had committed a war crime,” he said.
Ukrainska Pravda colleagues also revealed that investigators discovered she was missing a brain, eyeballs, and trachea, fueling suspicions of intentional cover-up by Russian authorities.
Outpouring of Condemnation and Tributes
The death of Roshchyna triggered outrage in Ukraine and among global press freedom activists. Her editor at Ukrainska Pravda, Sevgil Musaieva, described her as a mission-driven journalist. “Viktoriia was the only reporter who covered the occupied territories. For her, it was a mission,” she said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists also condemned her murder, blaming Russia for the heinous act.
One of her colleagues from Hromadske, a different Ukrainian news outlet, was devastated by the loss. “For her, there was nothing more important than journalism. Vika was always where the most important events for the country took place. And she would have continued to do this for many years, but the Russians killed her,” read the statement.
Ukrainian Officials Demand International Response
Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy called for international attention to the larger matter of civilian kidnappings. “The issue of civilian hostages abducted and held by Russia requires increased international attention and immediate and strong response,” he said.
In the meantime, the Russia-Ukraine war continues. Recent Russian missile and drone attacks on Kharkiv and Dnipro killed one and wounded 46. U.S. President Donald Trump made remarks about the war, saying to ABC News, “If it weren’t for me, I think he’d want to take over the whole country,” speaking of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
