October 10, 2024 - Russia, Moscow

Women Press Freedom is devastated by the death of illegally detained Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roschyna during a transfer to a Moscow prison.

The journalist reportedly died on September 19 while being taken from the southwestern city of Taganrog to Moscow for a prisoner exchange.

Her death was confirmed by a representative of the Ukrainian government’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, but the cause of her death is unclear as of yet. The circumstances point to yet another outrageous consequence of Russia’s illegal detention and treatment of journalists.

On October 11, 2024, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office reclassified the criminal case into Roshchyna’s disappearance as a war crime combined with premeditated murder. The investigation will be conducted by the Main Investigation Department of the Security Service of Ukraine, under the supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office.

Roschyna had been illegally imprisoned by Russian forces since 2023 and unlawfully moved across borders, already a violation of international law and a war crime. We hold the Kremlin directly responsible for her death. A brave truth-teller, Victoria risked her life to expose the horrors of war. Despite being repeatedly detained by Russian occupying forces, she continued to report on the devastation.

She disappeared on assignment in August 2023 and was confirmed in Russian detention in May 2024.

Women Press Freedom stands with her family and colleagues who fought tirelessly for her release. We are outraged and heartbroken by this news. Russia must be held accountable. We demand justice for this unimaginable loss. Her courage will never be forgotten.