“People like you inspire!” Vika wrote to me in August 2017, shortly after she joined our editorial team at Slidstvo.Info. She was uncertain whether she was there to intern or to work, unsure of what to expect from a career in investigative journalism. As soon as we met, she began asking about my journey into the field and how long I had been at it.
Yesterday, the world learned of the tragic death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna in Russian captivity. This was the same Vika who, seven years ago, was still navigating her place in the profession, inquiring, “What do you think about this media outlet?” “And what about this journalist?” “Can you remind me of the name of the girl in charge of the filming schedule?”
Vika searched tirelessly and ultimately carved out her own unique niche—venturing where few would dare, given the inherent risks. No one. Except Vika.
Vika began her journey into journalism at the age of 16, working at Hromadske and later contributing to Ukrainska Pravda and Radio Svoboda. In 2022, she received the International Women’s Media Foundation’s award for “Courage in Journalism.” Colleagues recall how diligently Vika worked and her relentless pursuit of the truth.
Viktoria Roshchyna disappeared in August 2023 in the temporarily occupied territories. It wasn’t until May 2024 that Russian authorities confirmed they were holding the journalist captive. Her father was the first to learn of her death—according to the Russian Ministry of Defence, she had passed away on September 19. This was subsequently confirmed on October 10 by Petro Yatsenko, a representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, and Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights. The cause and circumstances of her death remain unknown.
“Vika could not have died. It was the Russian captivity that killed her,” wrote Anhelina Karyakina, an advisor to the head of the Public Broadcasting Board. “Everyone who worked with you has a story about how you would burst into courts, protests, or take over Ukrposhta in Kharkiv just before the New Year. Everyone remembers the times you’d come into the office, even though you hadn’t left yet. There was nothing more interesting or important to you than journalism.”
Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, told Suspilne that Roshchyna was set to be included in an upcoming prisoner exchange.
“She was supposed to be home soon; everything necessary had been arranged for that,” Yusov stated.
“How about I bring you a latte in the morning again? You might not have even gone to bed because you were busy writing and running late for the meeting,” wrote Viktoria’s former colleague, Oleksandra Chernova.
The death of Viktoria Roshchyna in a Russian prison highlights yet another tragic violation of international humanitarian law, especially when it comes to protecting civilians in armed conflicts. Vika, like countless other unlawfully imprisoned Ukrainians—of whom the exact number remains a mystery—never should have been in Russian captivity in the first place.
Yet, there she was. The Institute of Mass Information (IMI) reports that Viktoria was one of 30 Ukrainian journalists unlawfully detained in Russia or occupied territories. Now, there are just 29. These individuals are civilian hostages, captured and transported against their will, with no due process and no evidence of wrongdoing—acts that clearly violate international law and are crimes committed by the Russians.
Following Viktoria Roshchyna’s disappearance, the Office of the Prosecutor General has launched a criminal investigation. This includes potential charges for war crimes related to intentional murder.
According to the Fourth Geneva Convention, forced deportation, unlawful detention, and cruel treatment of civilians represent serious violations of international humanitarian law and can be classified as war crimes. Under international law, journalists hold the status of civilians and should not be subject to military actions or unlawful detention.
The Institute of Mass Information (IMI) reports that Russia employs torture and mistreatment against imprisoned journalists while refusing to provide necessary medical assistance. Such actions also contravene Articles 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which categorise them as crimes against humanity and war crimes.
As of June 24, 2024, Russia has been responsible for 602 crimes against journalists and media personnel in Ukraine, according to monitoring by the Institute of Mass Information (IMI). This alarming figure is no coincidence. Former captives have testified that, during the occupation, Russians kept lists of local journalists targeted for what occupation forces referred to as a “clean-up.”
However, the issue extends far beyond journalists. The Russian side exhibits a cruelty that knows no bounds, subjecting anyone who falls into their hands to mistreatment, irrespective of their profession or status. We are aware of this because we are in the process of preparing a study on civilian hostages—a daunting, lengthy, and emotionally gruelling endeavour.
Ukrainian POWs endure torture, sexual violence, mistreatment, and starvation. This is evident as the Ukrainian office of Amnesty International works on a study and campaign aimed at highlighting the violations of rights faced by our prisoners of war.
Yet, amidst this darkness, there remains a flicker of hope: occasionally, they return to us, back home, bringing with them harrowing stories that chill the blood. These individuals include both military personnel and civilians—scholars, teachers, doctors—everyone fortunate enough to survive and able to be exchanged.
Viktoria was being prepared for exchange, but time ran out. The international community must confront a troubling question: what conditions must a person endure for a healthy and active 27-year-old woman to die while being transported after a year in captivity? It is known that during her time in Russian detention, Viktoria Roshchyna had previously gone on hunger strike to protest the inhumane conditions she faced.
This situation carries global significance and demands urgent action from the international community. Every effort must be made to end these atrocities and secure justice for all victims. Russia is not merely violating international norms; it is undermining the very essence of humanity.
