A Ukrainian mother of a schoolboy who survived the Blue Whale suicide ‘game’ has shared her concerns that the abusers ‘will hunt her son again until they kill him’.
Olga Tkachenko and her son, Mykyta Kovalchuk, 10, shared their story during a talk show and warned others not to get hooked by the perpetrators who drive children and teenagers to suicide.
‘I want to warn parents about such situations that break the lives and destinies of many,’ said the mother in a recent television interview.
Last September, Mykyta jumped from a six-storey balcony in Kyiv, Ukraine, while carrying out his final challenge given him by a Blue Whale ‘mentor’.
It happened after Mykyta came home from school feeling not well and Olga left their apartment to buy medicine to reduce his fever.
Last September, Mykyta Kovalchuk, 10, (pictured on life support) jumped from a six-storey balcony in Kyiv while carrying out his final challenge given him by a Blue Whale mentor
Mother Olga Tkachenko and her son, Mykyta Kovalchuk, 10, (pictured together) shared their story during a talk show and warned others not to get hooked by the perpetrators who drive children and teenagers to suicide, and shared her concerns that they ‘will hunt her son again until they kill him’
While she was away, the boy reportedly drank some alcohol, went to the balcony and climbed to the windowsill.
He drew Valentine’s heart on the glass of a balcony window before stepping out, according to reports.
When mother returned home, she met police officers and neighbours near the front door of her apartment. They told her that Mykyta had just been taken to hospital in critical condition.
‘He was a well-behaved child and good at studying. He had everything he needed. I could not understand how it could happen to him and to my family,’ Olga said.
For Mykyta’s luck, he avoided fatal damage to his internal organs or bones after falling from 66ft height.
‘Mykyta was in severe condition but his spinal cord was not damaged and it gave us hope,’ the mother said.
The next two months the boy spent in hospital, half of this period in intensive care.
Today, nine months after the incident, he is doing well physically, but his mother believes that ‘his abusers will hunt him again and that his life is still in danger’.
‘I live in constant anxiety and fear for my son’s life. I fear they will find him again to get the job done this time,’ Olga said.
Olga Tkachenko and her son, Mykyta Kovalchuk, 10, shared their story during a talk show (pictured) and warned others not to get hooked by the perpetrators who drive children and teenagers to suicide
Ten-year-old Mykyta spent two months in hospital – half of period in intensive care. Today, nine months after the incident, he is doing well physically, but his mother believes that ‘his abusers will hunt him again and that his life is still in danger’
The roots of her concerns are in the past, she explained. When Mykyta was 9-year-old he was involved in the game for the first time but managed to quit back then, according to her.
Her son is now seeing psychologists to become less susceptible to the influence of other people.
‘Mykyta is an absolutely mentally healthy child. Any child can fall under such influence. Children and teenagers tend to be influenced by others,’ the boy’s psychologist, Maria, said.
The Blue Whale challenge is an online suicide ‘game’ aimed at children and teenagers. The so-called mentors of the game give their victims about 50 tasks and praise them each time another task has been carried out.
When the young victim is under total control of the mentor, they receive a fatal final challenge – to kill themselves.
The game, which reportedly started in Russia, has caused numerous deaths around the world, including Ukraine, India and the United States.
First reports about its victims appeared in Russia in 2016, and in 2020 police in Britain issued a warning to parents to be mindful of their children’s online activities, urging them to talk about the dangers they can face.
At the time, Northants Police said: ‘We are aware of a disturbing social media challenge circulating called the ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ which encourages teenagers to take part in a series of 50 challenges that culminate in committing suicide.
‘This challenge first appeared in 2016 and tasks are given online or through text messages, instant messages or posts on Instagram and Twitter.
‘Please talk to your children about the dangers and tell them not to open any messages or challenges of this kind.’
The game is heavily linked with the name Jonathan Galindo, a man that may also be seen with his face painted like Mickey Mouse or a dog
First reports about its victims appeared in Russia in 2016, and in 2020 police in Britain issued a warning to parents to be mindful of their children’s online activities , urging them to talk about the dangers they can face
In a lengthy Facebook post, Northants Police recommend parents look out for children receiving messages or posts relating to Jonathan Galindo, a man that may also be seen with his face painted like Mickey Mouse or a dog.
And also receiving or making references to #f57, #f40 or #IMawhale.
Many experts have suggested that the initial reports of the ‘Blue Whale’ challenge were a sensationalised hoax that, in turn, led to instances of imitative self-harming and copycat groups.
If you have been affected by the contents on this story, confidential support can be found by calling Samaritans on 116 123, or by visiting samaritans.org.