Vladimir Anatolyevich Mukhankin was born on 22 April 1960, in the Zernogradsky District in Rostov Oblast, RSFSR, Soviet Union.

Mukhankin claimed his father abandoned his pregnant mother for another woman before his birth, and that he had been named in honour of Vladimir Lenin who was also born on 22 April.

Rape was not a part of his usual modus operandi, but had done so in at least one case; Mukhankin had violated a 13-year-old victim whom he then killed.

During interrogation, he attempted to convince the police he was insane by acting erratically, but a psychiatric examination found him to be sane, he was diagnosed with psychopathy.

Mukhankin is currently serving his imprisonment at the Black Dolphin Prison in Orenburg Oblast.