Ukrainian Journalist Who Went Undercover in Russian-Occupied Territory Returns with Mutilated Body

Infiltrated Underground Facility to Report on Torture and Human Rights Violations
Returned to Homeland as the 757th Body Around February

A Ukrainian female journalist who had gone undercover to report in Russian-occupied territories has been returned with signs of torture and organ removal, causing shock. Parts of her body were severely mutilated, and evidence suggests she was administered unidentified drugs. Ukrainian prosecutors have launched a war crimes investigation, while major international media outlets have highlighted the details of the case through investigative reports. On April 29 (local time), The Washington Post and The Guardian, in collaboration with the nonprofit investigative outlet Forbidden Stories, reported on the shocking death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriya Rosina, aged 28.

Rosina infiltrated an underground facility near Zaporizhzhia in August 2023 to investigate illegal torture and human rights violations against civilians in Russian-occupied territories, but was captured by Russian forces and detained, after which contact was lost. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.

Rosina infiltrated an underground facility near Zaporizhzhia in August 2023 to investigate illegal torture and human rights violations against civilians in Russian-occupied territories, but was captured and detained by Russian forces, after which contact was lost. She was imprisoned for nearly a year without access to legal counsel and disappeared after a brief phone call with her parents. News of Rosina's death first emerged in October 2023, when Russian authorities notified the Ukrainian side. Her body was returned about four months later, in February of this year, as the 757th body to be repatriated. She was returned with a misidentified tag indicating an unknown male with heart damage.

A detailed forensic examination confirmed the body was Rosina's, and the extent of the injuries was described as horrific. Both feet showed burns believed to be from electric torture, her ribs and hyoid bone were fractured, and there were signs of bruising on her face and buttocks. Notably, both eyes and her brain had been removed, making it nearly impossible to determine the exact cause of death. Ukrainian prosecutors believe the organs were removed to avoid an autopsy and have launched a war crimes investigation.

During her life, Rosina was affiliated with Ukrainska Pravda and had exposed Russian military atrocities through multiple undercover investigations. According to those close to her, she refused food and water after being injected with unidentified drugs while in detention, was transferred to a hospital, but ultimately did not recover. Regarding the fact that it took four months for her body to be returned and several weeks for official notification of her death, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to take stronger action on the issue of civilian hostages abducted by Russia.