Death of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna: RSF welcomes preliminary investigation into Russian prison director

On the eve of the journalist's funeral, on 8 Augustin Kyiv, the Prosecutor General's office of Ukraine and national police announcedthey had notified the opening of an investigation in absentia against the director of Penal Colony No. 2 in Taganrog, a city in southwestern Russia, where the journalist was imprisoned. While the Ukrainian authorities have not disclosed his name, the investigation targetsAlexander Shtoda, who was the head of the penal colonyat the time Victoria Roshchynawas held there. He is accused of "ill-treatment of the civilian population committed by a group of persons following a prior conspiracy," particularly for his role in the abuse inflicted on the Ukrainian reporter. He faces up to 12 years in prison.

The Taganrog prison, notoriously known for acts of tortureagainst Ukrainian civilians and soldiers, is the last known location of Victoria Roshchyna, who was arrestedin August 2023 in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. According to Ukrainian law enforcement, she was subjected to repeated abuse there: beatings, humiliation, threats, severe restrictions on access to medical care, drinking water and food, as well as psychological pressure and corporal punishment - all efforts to make her cooperate "with the administration of the institution," according to the Prosecutor General's office of Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities further state they have evidence that "the prison director personally ordered his subordinates to exert these pressures" on the journalist.

In a joint investigation, RSF and Ukrainian investigative outlet Slidstvo.infodocumented the last monthsof her detention, marked by inhumane conditions. Victoria Roshchyna weighed barely 30 kilograms just weeks before her death. Her mutilated, unidentified body was returnedto Ukraine in February 2025. To this day, Russia has provided no explanation regarding the circumstances of her death and has never responded to RSF inquiries. On 2 August, Victoria Roshchyna was posthumously awardedthe Order of Freedom, a national award given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the country, by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

If you have any information about Victoria Roshchyna or other Ukrainian journalists killed or detained by Russia, you can contact us securely at [email protected].

Ukraine and Russia rank 62nd and 171st respectively out of 180 countries and territories in the RSF 2025 World Press Freedom Index.