Lachenkov Ihor Borysovych

Millionaire blogger and volunteer of the 'People's Bayraktar,' accused by OPORA of systemic discreditation campaigns

Influencer from Dnipro (born June 14, 1999), son of a lawyer and a judge; bachelor of law from the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, left the Economics Faculty at Karazin University. Developed Telegram channels since 2019 ('Bro sent a meme,' pro.dnipro); in January 2022 launched 'Lachen Writes,' which grew in a year from 50,000 to over one million subscribers (currently ~1.5 million). In June 2022, together with Serhiy Prytula, initiated the 'People's Bayraktar' campaign — raising UAH 600 million in three days. Subsequently, fundraising for ambulances, vehicles for units, joint campaign with monobank and UNITED24 for UAH 100 million to counter drone systems. Forbes '30 under 30' (2022), medal 'For Assistance to Military Intelligence' II degree, guest of the European Parliament at the awarding of the Sakharov Prize to the Ukrainian people.

Accusations, discreditation, Russian trace

In March 2026, the civil network OPORA published an analysis of over 60 channels, recording signs of systemic discreditation campaigns against the authorities in 'Lachen Writes' — insults, generalizations, aggressive rhetoric instead of factual criticism. Separately described were 'corruption exposés with signs of advertising': during conflicts with Klitschko and the mayor of Dnipro, Lachenkov directed the audience to the channel 'Grey Mole,' whose subscription grew from 28,000 to 42,000; the channel itself, according to researchers, likely has a Russian trace.

'Detector Media' described a case where he claimed exclusive content from 'Babel' without reference, while earlier calling the editorial board 'moral bankrupts.' Svitlana Kryukova filed a lawsuit against him. Lachenkov has been receiving threats for three years — for posts about the Hrynkevych family, Deputy Head of the National Police Tyshlek, Tyshchenko, Boiko, and for proposing a ban on casino advertising; police have not identified the perpetrators.