Cause of journalist Roshchina's death could not be established due to body condition - Prosecutor General's Office

Specialists continue to clarify the circumstances of the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriya Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity. Due to the severe condition of her body, experts have not yet been able to establish the exact cause of her death, but numerous signs of cruel treatment have already been confirmed.

According to the investigation, Victoria's body has abrasions, haemorrhages, rib fractures and probable traces of electric shock. This indicates the use of torture. For final identification, a molecular expertise was appointed, DNA samples were taken from both parents of the deceased.

At present, the issue of involving foreign specialists - in particular, from France - in additional forensic medical examination is being decided in order to establish the causes of death and the nature of bodily injuries in more detail.

We shall remind you that Victoria Roschyna's death became officially known on 10 October 2024. Her body was returned to Ukraine at the end of February 2025.

Roshchyna worked on the front line from the very beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia. The last time she was in contact with her loved ones was on 3 August 2023, while in the occupied territories. After that, she disappeared. The missing person was reported missing to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies on 12 August.

Later, Russia officially confirmed that Victoria was under detention. The journalist's father, Vladimir Roshchin, received a corresponding letter from the Russian Defence Ministry, dated 17 April.