From a Reported TikTok Job Lead to a Russian Army Contract: The Rodolfo Chico Ketterer Case, Explained

A man walks past a billboard promoting contract army service and reading "5 200 000 rubles for the first year of the contract" (about USD 68 000) in western Moscow on April 14, 2026. (Credit: Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images)

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  Rodolfo Antonio Chico Ketterer, a Chilean from the La Araucanía region, has been unreachable since June 21. Russian authorities told Chile he signed a military service contract on June 3.

• His father says he expected a military police course, and that in their last conversation his son said he had been deceived and was on the front line. That account has not been independently verified.
• Chile's consulate in Moscow has asked Russia for his whereabouts and plans a new approach. His location and condition remain unconfirmed.

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