The SHOT Telegram channel first reported the death of “the son of the maniac Chikatilo” on August 20, 2023. However, officials from the Kharkiv Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support refuted this claim, asserting that the son of the infamous Soviet serial killer Andrei Chikatilo had not served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Official sources labeled the report a Russian fake aimed at discrediting Ukrainian defense forces.
Chikatilo’s son, Yuriy, confirmed he did not serve in the military, citing health issues as the reason for not being mobilized. He expressed indifference towards the rumors of his death. The narrative originated from Russian propaganda channels and spread across various media and Telegram platforms, often without credible sources and official commentary.
Experts from the Center for Countering Disinformation noted that such propaganda efforts seek to undermine the Ukrainian military’s credibility and foster doubt among the public. They emphasized that once misinformation takes root, it remains in people’s minds despite efforts to debunk it.
Officials stress the importance of verifying information and relying on official statements, especially during times of crisis when misleading information can proliferate rapidly. Despite ongoing explanatory efforts, controlling the spread of fake news across social networks remains a challenge.
