In the war‑torn regions of Russia, families of soldiers who fell fighting in Ukraine are turning to a new form of mourning that blends technology and myth. AI‑generated videos portray the deceased in heroic or angelic poses, often set against serene backdrops and devoid of any reference to battlefield destruction.
The trend was popularised on social media by users such as "Katya Jin," who regularly shared such clips with up to ten thousand followers, offering even tutorials on how to create them. In a clip that drew millions of likes, a snowy Moscow street with celebratory billboards is overlaid with a man in uniform hugging a woman in tears – a scene that viewers later recognised as fabricated.
These films frequently present Russian soldiers as pristine defenders or celestial witnesses, stripping away the devastation caused by the invasion. The absence of the war’s brutality has provoked sharp criticism from Ukrainian users, many of whom condemn the content as propaganda that glorifies blood‑shed. One Ukrainian comment read: "You should be ashamed to show your 'heroes' who killed our children."
The production of such videos is surprisingly inexpensive, ranging from a few roubles (£0.10) to around ten thousand roubles (£100), which has made the industry lucrative for creators. Ulyana Lebed, for instance, reported monthly earnings of 150–200,000 roubles (£1,500–2,000), more than twice the average Russian wage.
How well these creations help families with grief remains unclear. Studies from the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge highlight the complexity of assessing whether these “deadbots” assist or exacerbate loss. Some interviewees reported that the videos did little to ease pain, while others claimed a sense of connection, even if merely virtual.
Beyond solace, the phenomenon raises pressing questions about censorship, commodification of mourning, and the limits of digital avatars. As AI tools become increasingly accessible, Russia’s 50‑million‑strong social media user base is poised to drive a controversial industry that may reshape how societies confront death and violence.
