Ukrainian journalist Roshchyna suffered skull fracture, systematic torture in Russian captivity
Russian captors broke journalist Viktoria Roshchyna's occipital bone while she was held at a pretrial detention center in Taganrog, Russia, National Police department deputy chief Dmytro Shevchuk told a parliamentary commission on Russian crimes against media on May 26, the Institute of Mass Information reported.
The skull fracture was discovered during forensic examinations, Shevchuk said.
Roshchyna was subjected to systematic violence by her captors because she demanded adequate detention conditions — including proper food — and refused to sing the Russian national anthem.
Roshchyna was held in cell No. 124 under unsanitary conditions with no hot water. Inmates were given only three minutes to eat and wash their dishes. From morning until lights out, sitting or lying down was prohibited, and physical violence was used against those who broke the rules.
Police said that when Roshchyna was transferred to the pre-trial detention center in the town of Kizel in Russia, she was in critical condition and in constant need of medical attention. Investigators determined that the facility's director was aware of her deteriorating state and continued to organize conditions that made it worse.
The murder of Viktoria Roshchyna
Roshchyna was reported missing in Russian-occupied territory on August 3, 2023. Russia did not confirm holding her until May 2024. She had previously been abducted by Russian forces in March 2022 but was released after 10 days.
Her death was reported on October 10, 2024, when her father, Volodymyr, was notified by Russian officials. Ukraine later confirmed her death.
The Media Initiative for Human Rights said Roshchyna was held in at least two facilities: Penal Colony No. 77 in Berdyansk and Pre-trial Detention Center No. 2 in Taganrog, Russia — described as "one of the most brutal detention facilities for Ukrainians on Russian territory."
According to an investigation by Forbidden Stories, her body was returned to Ukraine in February during an exchange of 757 fallen defenders. Examination revealed that several internal organs were missing — including the brain, eyeballs and part of the trachea.
Roshchyna was buried on August 8 at Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv. Several hundred people attended, including her father and younger sister, former colleagues and members of the public.
Roshchyna worked for hromadske, and later contributed to Ukrainska Pravda and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as well as Ukrainian Radio, UA:Pershyi and Censor.net. In 2022, she received the International Women's Media Foundation's Courage in Journalism Award.
All materials by Viktoria Roshchyna are available at the link.
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