Andrey Kiyko, a notorious serial killer and rapist, has gone missing after being released from prison to fight for the Russian military in Ukraine. Known as the 'Sosnovka Maniac', Kiyko was sentenced to 25 years for the brutal murders of three women and a series of rapes in St Petersburg between 2004 and 2007. After being wounded on the frontlines, he was admitted to a military hospital in Kronstadt, where he escaped in early autumn 2024. His disappearance was not disclosed for months, leading to a massive manhunt initiated in May 2025. Residents reported that Defence Ministry personnel were canvassing neighborhoods with Kiyko's photo. This incident has sparked outrage and concern regarding the Kremlin's decision to recruit violent offenders for military service, as Kiyko is among many released early for this purpose. Critics are particularly alarmed by the apparent cover-up surrounding his escape, as police were only informed of the situation after the fact.