Escaped Serial Killer Sparks Manhunt After Joining Russian Military
'Maniac' serial killer goes on the run after being released from prison to join war

Image: Dailystar Co Uk
Andrey Kiyko, a convicted serial killer known as the 'Sosnovka Maniac', has escaped from a military hospital after serving in the Russian army in Ukraine. His disappearance has prompted a significant manhunt and raised concerns about the Kremlin's practice of recruiting violent offenders for military service.
- 01Andrey Kiyko, 41, was sentenced to 25 years for the murders of three women and multiple rapes in St Petersburg.
- 02He was released early by the Kremlin to fight in Ukraine, despite his violent history.
- 03Kiyko was wounded in combat and later escaped from a military hospital in Kronstadt.
- 04His disappearance was kept secret for months, only becoming public in May 2025.
- 05The case has reignited criticism of Russia's recruitment of violent criminals for military service.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
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.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The case raises significant safety concerns for residents in the Leningrad region and highlights the risks associated with the Kremlin's military recruitment practices.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think about the recruitment of violent offenders into the military?
Connecting to poll...
More about Russian Defence Ministry
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.






