VIKA’S LAST ASSIGNMENT

In the organizer's words:

UKR 2025, documentary film, 49 min

Director: Anna Perepelytsia

Language: OmeU (Ukrainian, Russian with English subtitles)

Content Notes: 1, 3, 5

Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna traveled to Russian-occupied territories to write a report. Her journey took her through faraway Russia, where she was arrested and imprisoned in the SIZO-2 prison in Taganrog. Weeks, months, passed while her family and colleagues hoped for news of her, for a sign of her return. In October 2024, her father received a letter from the Russian authorities: Vika was dead.

Journalists from Slidstvo.Info, together with colleagues from Reporters Without Borders, Suspilne and Graty, traced Vika's path, shed light on the circumstances of her detention and collected testimonies from those who saw or spoke to her. The resulting findings reveal previously unknown crimes committed by Russians against a young woman who had set out to serve her professional duty - and never returned home.

This event is part of the 10th anniversary program of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom. Marking a decade of service to press freedom, the anniversary will feature workshops and film screenings highlighting the courage of journalists and reflecting on the challenges ahead.
The ECPMF is a non-profit organization based in Leipzig that works to promote, protect and defend media freedom and freedom of expression across Europe. By monitoring violations, lobbying and directly supporting journalists, the ECPMF works to ensure that free media can thrive as a cornerstone of open and democratic societies.

ENG: Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna traveled to Russian-occupied territories to produce a report. Her journey took her through Russia, where she was detained and imprisoned in the Taganrog SIZO-2 detention center. For many months, her family and colleagues waited for news of her return. In October 2024, her father received a letter from Russian authorities stating that Vika had died.
Journalists from Slidstvo.Info, together with colleagues from Reporters Without Borders, Suspilne, and Graty, retraced Viktoria's path, uncovered the conditions of her imprisonment, and gathered testimonies from those who saw and communicated with her. These findings expose previously unknown crimes committed by Russians against a young journalist who set out to fulfill her professional duty and never returned. (Ukrainian, Russian wirth English subtitles)

This special screening takes place as part of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom's 10th anniversary program. Marking a decade of defending press freedom, the anniversary brings together workshops and film screenings that highlight the courage of journalists and reflect on the challenges ahead.
ECPMF is a non-profit organization based in Leipzig that promotes, protects, and defends media freedom and freedom of expression across Europe. Through monitoring violations, advocacy, and direct support for journalists, ECPMF works to ensure that free media can thrive as a cornerstone of open and democratic societies.

in Kooperation mit / in cooperation with

ECPMF