**Investigation Reveals Horrific Details of Journalist’s Death in Russian Captivity**
A recent investigation by the Forbidden Stories journalism network has shed light on the disturbing circumstances surrounding the death of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was killed while in Russian captivity. The findings of the investigation are a grim reminder of the brutal treatment of civilians and journalists by Russian forces in Ukraine.
According to the investigation, which involved over 40 journalists from 13 international media outlets, Roshchyna’s body showed evidence of torture and ill-treatment, including signs of suffocation or strangulation. The international forensic pathologist who examined the body suggested that her internal organs may have been deliberately removed by Russian authorities to obscure these findings.
**The Tragic Story of Viktoriia Roshchyna**
Roshchyna, a 27-year-old journalist, disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from Ukraine’s Russian-occupied territories. Her detention was later admitted by Moscow, and she died on September 19, 2024, according to Russian authorities. However, Ukrainian officials confirmed her death only in October 2024, and the circumstances surrounding it are still under investigation.
The investigation revealed that Roshchyna had been held in at least two notorious Russian prisons, where she was subjected to torture and ill-treatment. Her body was handed over to Ukraine five months after her death, with a false identification as an “unidentified male.” It wasn’t until later that DNA testing confirmed the body was indeed Roshchyna’s, with 99% certainty.
**The Condition of Roshchyna’s Body**
The investigation found that Roshchyna’s brain, eyes, and part of her trachea had been removed. A bruise on her neck, along with a suspected fracture of the hyoid bone – a common indicator of strangulation – further suggests that she may have been tortured to death. The Russian abbreviation “SPAS” was also found on her body, which some experts believe may have been used by Russian authorities to fabricate an official cause of death.
**Torture and Ill-Treatment in Russian Prisons**
The investigation highlights the systematic use of torture and ill-treatment against prisoners in Russian custody. Roshchyna’s case is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a broader problem. The penal colony n. 77 in Berdiansk and the detention center n. 2 in Russia’s Taganrog are notorious for their use of torture against prisoners.
**Conclusion**
The investigation into Viktoriia Roshchyna’s death is a stark reminder of the risks faced by journalists and civilians in Ukraine, who are subjected to brutal treatment by Russian forces. The findings of this investigation should serve as a wake-up call for the international community, which must take action to hold Russia accountable for its atrocities.
As Kateryna Denisova, News Editor at the Kyiv Independent, aptly puts it: “The case of Viktoriia Roshchyna is a tragic reminder of the price journalists and civilians pay for seeking truth in conflict zones.”
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