US reacts to death of Ukrainian journalist in Russian captivity

The US Embassy to Ukraine has described the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna in Russian Federation custody as a reminder of how Russia punishes journalists in opposition to the Kremlin regime.

Source: the US Embassy on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The embassy said they were "deeply troubled" by the news of Viktoriia Roshchyna's death in prison in Russia.

Deeply troubled by the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchina while in Russian custody. Her tragic death highlights Russia’s ongoing kidnapping & imprisonment of journalists, a blatant attack on free media & truth. Russia will be held to account. — U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) October 11, 2024

Quote: "Her tragic death highlights Russia’s ongoing kidnapping & imprisonment of journalists, a blatant attack on free media & truth. Russia will be held to account," the embassy wrote.

Read Viktoriia Roshchyna's articles on Ukrainska Pravda

Background:

• The EU expressed outrage at the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna and demanded an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
• Roshchyna disappeared on 3 August 2023 in the Russian-occupied territory from where she was reporting.
• In May 2024, Russia admitted for the first time that it had detained Roshchyna. The Russian Ministry of Defence sent a letter of confirmation to her father, Volodymyr Roshchyn.
• On 10 October 2024, Petro Yatsenko, the head of the press service of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said during the 24/7 national joint newscast that Viktoriia Roshchyna had died in Russian custody. 
• Later, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, said that he had received confirmation of Roshchyna’s death from the Russian side.

This news has been updated since publication.

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