Son of Parubiy murder suspect went missing near Bakhmut in 2023

Known by the call sign Lemberg, Mykhailo-Viktor volunteered for the front after Russia’s full-scale invasion. 

Since May 20, 2023, he has been missing in action near Bakhmut. His mother — Stselnikov’s ex-wife — had no ties with him, just like Lemberg himself. She shared this with Espreso.

“We have had no contact with the defendant for 27 years. The news from the court in the Parubiy murder case shocked our family. It is important that the memory of Mykhailo not be distorted in this situation,” said Olena Cherninka, Lemberg’s mother. A writer, she authored the book “Lemberg: Mom, Don’t Cry”, which immortalized her son’s heroism and drew attention to the issue of missing servicemen.

Olena has paused all further comment until Monday, September 8, asking that media rely on information published by Espreso and respect the family’s privacy.

What is known about the murder of Andriy Parubiy

On August 30, around noon in Lviv, former parliamentary speaker and MP Andriy Parubiy was shot dead. An unidentified attacker, disguised as a food delivery courier, approached and fired about eight shots. Parubiy died on the spot. The killer escaped on an e-bike.

Less than two days later, law enforcement tracked down the suspect in Khmelnytskyi region. Around 1 a.m. on September 1, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko announced that police and the SBU had detained the alleged killer. That same day, he was officially charged with premeditated murder.

Media reports suggested the motive may have been linked to Russian intelligence allegedly offering to return the body of his missing son in exchange for killing the Ukrainian politician.

On September 2, the Halytskyi District Court of Lviv placed Stselnikov in custody for 60 days without bail. He faces a life sentence.