---
title: "Disinformation about an arrest in Lviv sparked mass riots: Mayor Sadovy on the role of Telegram channels"
description: "🚨 Disinformation about an arrest in Lviv sparked mass riots! Mayor Sadovy explained how a fake story about a 20-year-old led to a brawl with TCC and hospitalizations. 📱 Telegram channels are again under criticism. #Lviv #Disinformation #Sadovy"
date: 2026-07-24T07:02:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/disinformation-about-an-arrest-in-lviv-sparked-mass-riots
tags: [lviv, andrey-sadovy, telegram-channels, disinformation, ukraine]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Disinformation about an arrest in Lviv sparked mass riots: Mayor Sadovy on the role of Telegram channels

![Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy speaks about misinformation in Telegram channels that sparked riots](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/24/dezinformatsiya-o-zaderzhanii-v-lvove-sprovotsirovala-massovye-besporiadki/dezinformatsiya-o-zaderzhanii-v-lvove-sprovotsirovala-massovye-besporiadki-1.webp)

A serious conflict has erupted in Lviv, triggered by the spread of false information on social media. City Mayor Andriy Sadovy, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, explained how a fake news story about the arrest of a young man led to a brawl with TCC (Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center) workers and the hospitalization of several individuals.

### The chain reaction from a false news story

The incident began with a post in Telegram channels and blogs claiming that a 20-year-old man had been detained in the Sykhiv district. This news instantly sparked a heated reaction among residents, who began mass-sharing the information and demanding the release of the allegedly wrongly accused youth.

However, it was later revealed that the person detained was actually a 30-year-old man who was already wanted. By that time, however, the crowd had already become aggressive, and the situation spiraled out of control.

"I am interested in investigating which news agency, Telegram channel, or blogger was the first to report that a 20-year-old boy was detained. Because that is where it all started," noted Sadovy.

### Consequences of the clashes

The clashes between citizens and TCC staff resulted in several people being hospitalized. According to the mayor, the lives of the injured are not in danger, but both local residents and military recruitment center workers sustained injuries.

"Law enforcement agencies did their job quite competently and professionally, as they prevented bloodshed," emphasized Sadovy.

### The role of minors and the impact on public opinion

Particularly concerning is the fact that many minors got involved in the brawl, who, according to the mayor, only realized their mistake afterwards. This indicates that disinformation can have serious consequences for young people, who often become victims of online manipulation.

Sadovy also noted that the topic of the arrest became a top story on Russian information channels, which only exacerbated the situation. "There is nothing good in that. If in any city information started to spread en masse that a 20-year-old youth was detained and needed to be released, needed to be protected, I think the reaction would have been identical," the mayor believes.

### Call for control over the information space

In Andriy Sadovy's opinion, the Ministry of Defense and other state services should pay more attention to information policy, rather than leaving it to unchecked Telegram channels. "It all looks like they are working for our enemy, not for our state," he summarized.

This incident once again showed how important it is to control the information space and prevent the spread of false news that can lead to real consequences for society.