

Vika: The journalist who exposed Russian “black sites”, then ended up in one
12 snips May 22, 2025
Juliette Garside and Manisha Ganguly, both investigative journalists from The Guardian, tell the harrowing story of Viktoriia Roshchyna, who exposed Russian torture sites before becoming a victim herself. They discuss the terrifying conditions within the notorious detention facility where she was held and the significant risks journalists face in such high-stakes environments. Insights into the aftermath of her mysterious disappearance, her family's search for justice, and the ongoing struggle to document war crimes reveal the urgent need for accountability and awareness.
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Vika's Courageous Reporting Mission
- Viktoriia Roshchyna, called Vika, repeatedly risked entering occupied Ukraine to report on secret torture sites.
- She was caught once in March 2022 but continued her dangerous missions driven by journalistic mission and sense of justice.
Truth About Russian Black Sites
- Black sites are secret Russian-run torture chambers that often don't officially exist.
- They are used to intimidate, extract false confessions, and break detainees without accountability or oversight.
Systematic Torture at Taganrog Prison
- Prisoners in Taganrog endured egregious torture methods including electrocution, water torture, and beatings.
- Guards wore balaclavas and used code names, signaling systematic torture and deliberate cover-up.