A Ukrainian journalist who garnered critical acclaim for her recounts of life under Russian occupation has tragically passed away while detained in Russia.

Victoria Roshchyna, 27, was a freelance reporter contributing to notable Ukrainian news platforms, including Ukrainska Pravda and Hromadske Radio, as well as the US-supported Radio Liberty.

Roshchyna disappeared last August while reporting from territories in Ukraine under Russian control.

In May, Russia’s Ministry of Defence acknowledged in a letter to her father that she was in their custody.

“Regrettably, the information about Victoria’s passing has been confirmed,” stated Petro Yatsenko, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s prisoners of war coordination team, during an interview aired on Ukrainian television.

He mentioned that inquiries into the circumstances surrounding her death were still ongoing.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released an official statement announcing that Russian authorities had informed Roshchyna’s family on Thursday of her death, which had occurred on September 19.

Jeanne Cavalier, RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk head, expressed: “Despite numerous pleas from her family, Ukrainian officials, and RSF, the Russian authorities provided no information regarding her detention. They must fully disclose the details surrounding her captivity and the cause of her death.”

Horrifying news has surfaced: Ukrainian reporter Viktoria Roshchyna, who was abducted in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions, has died in a Russian prison. Though her death occurred on September 19, her father only received the tragic news today. She had been on a prolonged hunger strike… pic.twitter.com/FHXc5rii2m

— Anastasia Magazova 🌻 (@a_magazova) October 10, 2024

Roshchyna was known for her evocative journalism, capturing life in Crimea following Russia’s 2014 annexation, and reporting from the eastern regions of Ukraine under control of Russian-backed separatists.

She also provided essential coverage of the nearly three-month-long defense of Mariupol after Russia began its full-scale military assault in February 2022.

Her initial detention by Russian forces occurred shortly after their invasion began, and she was held for 10 days.

Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR), noted during a public broadcast on Suspilne that Roshchyna was slated for a prisoner exchange. She was expected to be transferred to Moscow from her detention location in Taganrog, near the Ukrainian border.

As of May, Ukraine reported that over two dozen Ukrainian journalists remained imprisoned in Russia, with ongoing discussions for their release.

RSF stated that Roshchyna is the 13th journalist to lose their life in connection with their work since Russia's invasion.