Ukrainian prosecutors have announced that they will investigate the death of journalist Victoria Roshchyna in Russian detention as a war crime. Roshchyna, who went missing in August last year while reporting in Russian-held east Ukraine, was recently confirmed to have died in detention. Her disappearance was shrouded in mystery until her father received a letter from Moscow’s defence ministry disclosing her whereabouts.
The exact circumstances of Roshchyna’s arrest and the location of her detention within Russia remain unknown. The Prosecutor General’s office in Ukraine declared that the investigation into her disappearance has now been reclassified as a war crime combined with premeditated murder.
This tragic incident sheds light on the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones and the need for greater protection of press freedom. Our thoughts are with Victoria Roshchyna’s family and colleagues during this difficult time.