Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna had her occipital bone fractured in Tagangrog pre-trial detention center — National Police of Ukraine

Viktoria Roshchyna

"We discovered this during the relevant forensic medical examinations," Shevchuk noted.

According to him, Viktoria experienced systematic violence in captivity because she demanded normal conditions of detention, in particular acceptable food, and also refused to sing the Russian anthem.

She was held in cell No. 124 with unsanitary conditions. There was no hot water, only three minutes were allotted for meals, and during that time, one also had to wash the dishes. From morning until bedtime, it was forbidden to sit or lie down.

"In case of violation of these rules — beatings and other forms of cruel treatment," Shevchuk said.

He also noted that during the journalist's transfer to the pre-trial detention center in Kizel (Russia), she was in critical condition and constantly needed medical assistance.

"But despite this, the administration of the institution continued to apply physical and psychological violence, and also held her in life-threatening conditions," Dmytro Shevchuk stated.

During the pre-trial investigation, Ukrainian law enforcement officers established that the head of the pre-trial detention center knew that the journalist was being held in a very serious condition on the territory of the institution. According to Shevchuk, the head of the pre-trial detention center continued conditions that worsened her situation.

According to the investigation, on September 19, 2024, a week after arriving at the pre-trial detention center, Viktoria Roshchyna died. The cause was the continuous abuse she suffered in captivity.

What is known about Viktoria Roshchyna's death

The death of Viktoria Roshchyna in Russian captivity became known on October 10, 2024. According to a letter from the Russian Ministry of Defense received by her father on October 10, Viktoria died on September 19, 2024.

The journalist was on the exchange lists.

Viktoria's body was returned to Ukraine at the end of February 2025. Her identity was established with the help of DNA expertise. According to the results of the forensic medical examination, the cause of the journalist's death could not be determined due to the condition of the body. At the same time, numerous signs of torture were found on Viktoria's body.

The "Project Viktoria" investigation states that

Russia handed over the body of journalist Viktoria Roshchyna to Ukraine, which was marked in the documents as an "unidentified male" and had a single, incomprehensible mark: СПАС (SPAS).

During the examination, it was revealed that some internal organs were missing. In particular, the brain, eyeballs, and part of the trachea.

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