**Ukrainian Lawmakers Honor Slain Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna with Hero of Ukraine Title**
On May 14, Ukrainian lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favor of awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was killed while in Russian captivity. The appeal, which now needs to be signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, reflects the country’s deep respect for Roshchyna’s courage and dedication to reporting on the war-torn regions.
Roshchyna, a 27-year-old journalist, went missing in August 2023 while covering the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Moscow later confirmed she was being held in Russian detention, but her body was returned to Ukraine in February with false identification as an “unidentified man.” DNA testing and forensic examination revealed that the body belonged to Roshchyna.
**Investigation into Roshchyna’s Death Continues**
The circumstances surrounding Roshchyna’s death are still under investigation. Ukrainian officials confirmed her death on October 10, 2024, but Russia claims she died on September 19 of the same year. A recent media investigation revealed that Roshchyna’s body was returned with missing organs, possibly an attempt to obscure signs of suffocation or strangulation.
**Roshchyna’s History of Harassment and Detention**
Roshchyna had been held in two notorious Russian prisons: Penal Colony 77 in Berdiansk and Detention Center 2 in Russia’s Taganrog. Both facilities are known for the use of torture against prisoners. She was also detained by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers in March 2022 for 10 days while leaving Berdiansk en route to Mariupol. As a condition of her release, she was forced to record a video saying Russian forces had saved her life.
**Outpouring of Support and Respect**
Roshchyna’s death has sparked an outpouring of support and respect from Ukrainian lawmakers and citizens alike. The Media Initiative for Human Rights reported that Roshchyna had been a fearless journalist who continued to report on the war despite repeated harassment and detention by Russian authorities.
The vote to award Roshchyna the title of Hero of Ukraine is a testament to her bravery and dedication to reporting the truth, even in the face of extreme danger. As Ukraine continues to navigate its ongoing conflict with Russia, the country’s commitment to upholding press freedom and protecting journalists like Viktoriia Roshchyna remains unwavering.
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