Missing Ukrainian journalist found dead in Kharkiv

Oleksandr Lapshin, a Kharkiv-based journalist and volunteer who disappeared in late May, was found dead on June 29, the head of the Kharkiv Oblast Police Investigation Department Serhii Bolvinov told Suspilne on July 3.

A passerby told police he found a man on the outskirts of Kharkiv who had apparently hanged himself, Bolvinov said. It was impossible to visually identify the dead man, he said.

The police found a note in the man’s pocket but could not read it, said Bolvinov. It was probably a suicide note.

Lapshyn was reportedly identified through a DNA test. His family has already been informed of his death, police said.

“We have reason to believe that the person whose body was found during landing committed suicide,” Bolvinov said.

The cause of death will be determined by a forensic investigation.

Oleksandr Lapshyn, 43, began working in the media at the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion. He reportedly worked as a fixer for the Reuters news agency. Lapshyn’s texts and photos were published by Ukrainska Pravda and Suspilne.

Russian authorities confirm arrest of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna

Roshchyna disappeared on August 3, 2023, while reporting in Russian-occupied territory. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed her arrest in a letter dated April 2024.