Public Dispute Erupts Between Dnipro Mayor and Influencer
A public war of words has broken out in Dnipro between Mayor Borys Filatov and blogger Ihor Lachenkov, marked by a series of mutual accusations on social media. The dispute began following an interview with Filatov published on March 9 by the 'Ukrainska Pravda' outlet. In that interview, the mayor compared Lachenkov's activities to the 'Joker' Telegram channel, which has been linked to Roman Kravets.
In response, Ihor Lachenkov posted a video showing Borys Filatov with businessman Hennadii Korban. Lachenkov accused Filatov of corruption, labeling him a raider and a marauder. The mayor, in turn, retaliated by referencing an old arbitration case concerning the 'Pivdenmash' enterprise, which involved Lachenkov's mother.
“Filatov is writing here about my mother and calling her a collaborator who was a judge for 25 years. They searched for a long time for a way to pressure me and use something against me, and after all this time, all they found was this case involving Pivdenmash” – Ihor Lachenkov.
Borys Filatov proposed a meeting with Lachenkov on March 16 in his office at the Dnipro City Council, warning that 'this is not necessary' as 'one can lose their reputation very quickly.' Accordingly, Ihor Lachenkov suggested meeting at Reitarska Street in Kyiv at 12:00, later clarifying the time as 14:00. Such public confrontations between officials and media figures are becoming increasingly common in Ukraine's political landscape.
As of the time of publication, there was no information about any court appeals or the opening of criminal proceedings related to this conflict.
Public Reaction to the Escalating Dispute
The clash between Filatov and Lachenkov continues to draw public attention, as both sides actively trade accusations via social networks, amplifying interest in their quarrel.
This public spat reflects not only personal animosity between the two figures but also broader trends in Ukraine's political environment, where social networks have become a crucial tool for communication and vying for influence. These situations can significantly impact politicians' reputations and sway public opinion, which in today's media climate can have serious consequences for their careers.