Russia confirmed on Tuesday that it is detaining Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who went missing on August 3, 2023.
Roshchyna’s detention was verified via a letter from Russia's Ministry of Defense, which was received by her father, Volodymyr Roshchyn. This information was disclosed by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.
The letter, dated April 17, was received around April 22, stating that Roshchyna was held on Russian territory.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed her captivity but has no access to her.
Sergiy Tomilenko, the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, said that previous requests made by her family to Russian authorities for information about her situation were ignored.
The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine demanded Roshchyna’s immediate release, calling on the international community for support.
The European Federation of Journalists also called for the release of all unlawfully detained journalists.
Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the Ukrainian parliament's Free Speech Committee, pledged continued efforts to pressure international organizations for their release.
Before her disappearance in 2023, Roshchyna was detained in March 2022 by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) while reporting on the war in Zaporizhia and Donetsk.
According to the UN, “at least 30 journalists are known to be detained and facing lengthy prison sentences, including on spurious charges of so-called crimes such as ‘disseminating false information’ and ‘discrediting’ the actions of the Russian armed forces.”
Notable cases include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained since March 2023 on espionage charges, and Alsu Kurmasheva of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, who faces accusations related to failing to register as a foreign agent.
The letter, dated April 17, was received around April 22, stating that Roshchyna was held on Russian territory.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed her captivity but has no access to her.
Sergiy Tomilenko, the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, said that previous requests made by her family to Russian authorities for information about her situation were ignored.
The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine demanded Roshchyna’s immediate release, calling on the international community for support.
The European Federation of Journalists also called for the release of all unlawfully detained journalists.
Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the Ukrainian parliament's Free Speech Committee, pledged continued efforts to pressure international organizations for their release.
Before her disappearance in 2023, Roshchyna was detained in March 2022 by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) while reporting on the war in Zaporizhia and Donetsk.
According to the UN, “at least 30 journalists are known to be detained and facing lengthy prison sentences, including on spurious charges of so-called crimes such as ‘disseminating false information’ and ‘discrediting’ the actions of the Russian armed forces.”
Notable cases include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained since March 2023 on espionage charges, and Alsu Kurmasheva of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, who faces accusations related to failing to register as a foreign agent.
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