Russian families use AI to 'resurrect' loved ones killed in Ukraine
The highly controversial trend lies at the intersection of Russia's war on Ukraine, new AI technologies and grief.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"Creating 'deadbots' of Russian soldiers or deepfakes of fallen Russian soldiers returning from Ukraine is extremely complex and ethically difficult to assess in a clear-cut way."
— Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska , Academic
"In the first months of working on these videos, I cried almost every day."
— Anna Korableva , Influencer
""In the first months of working on these videos, I cried almost every day.""
— Anna Korableva , Influencer
""I try to focus on the technical side, to make sure the video turns out beautiful and worthy of someone's memory.""
— Anna Korableva , Influencer
"She earns between 150-200,000 roubles a month."
— Ulyana Lebed , Influencer
Key People
Started making AI-generated videos to help people cope with loss.
A researcher at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge.
A popular blogger known for posting AI-generated content on social media.
Married to a Russian serviceman and involved in creating AI-generated content.
Tags
All Coverage
The highly controversial trend lies at the intersection of Russia's war on Ukraine, new AI technologies and grief.
Russian families are commissioning AI-generated videos and photos that show soldiers killed in Ukraine embracing family or ascending to heaven, a trend that has grown since mid-2025 amid divided reactions and ethical concerns.
Russian families are increasingly using AI-generated videos to depict fallen soldiers returning home or ascending to heaven, a trend that has raised ethical and psychological questions about the commercialization of grief.
Russian families are increasingly using AI-generated videos and photos to depict soldiers killed in Ukraine returning home or ascending to heaven, a trend that has gained popularity since mid-2025.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Russian glide bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia kills at least 15 people
Children are among the victims, authorities say, and more victims could still be buried in the rubble of a large apartment block that was destroyed.
October 10, 2026 at 11:17 AMGermany sticks to Russia sanctions after Trump announcement on diesel - Reuters
Germany sticks to Russia sanctions after Trump announcement on diesel Reuters
October 10, 2026 at 10:59 AMRogue Anthropic AI agent gave police fake tip in unsolved murder case
Philadelphia police said the tip was "flagged as spam", but criticised the tech company for taking more than two months to detect and report the breach.
October 10, 2026 at 10:06 AMHow drones are hunting fires hidden beneath the Cairngorms
Dramatic flames from the huge Cairngorms wildfire in July have disappeared - but hot spots can continue to burn beneath the earth.
October 10, 2026 at 09:31 AMRussian attack on Ukrainian city kills 12, a day after Trump eases diesel sanctions on Moscow - Reuters
Russian attack on Ukrainian city kills 12, a day after Trump eases diesel sanctions on Moscow Reuters
October 10, 2026 at 06:39 AMNord Stream trial: How German police followed the evidence - to Ukraine
After four years, a Ukrainian man is set to stand trial in Hamburg accused of sabotaging the Nord Stream pipelines.
October 10, 2026 at 04:51 AM