Russian families are using AI-generated videos to reunite with loved ones killed in Ukraine, sparking a mix of emotions and controversy. The 15-second clips, often posted on social media, feature soldiers returning home to their families, despite being killed in action.
These videos have gained popularity since mid-2025, with many featuring Russian soldiers as heroes defending their country. However, the clips often omit the destruction caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leaving many Ukrainians appalled. Relatives of Russian servicemen are the primary creators and sharers of this content, using it as a way to mourn and cope with their loss.
Russia-Ukraine War
The use of AI-generated videos has raised concerns about their long-term psychological and social impact on the grieving process. Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, notes that creating “deadbots” of Russian soldiers is “extremely complex and ethically difficult to assess.” Many of these videos follow a set pattern, featuring a soldier embracing their loved ones before walking into a blue sky, often surrounded by angels.
Anna Korableva, a woman from Kamensk-Uralsky, has been creating AI-generated videos with her sister since May 2025. Their “Farewell video” project aims to help people cope with “unfinished farewells” and give them a chance to “embrace” their loved ones again. Most requests come from families of soldiers killed on the battlefield in Ukraine, with the Russian government not sharing reliable casualty figures.
Controversy and Implications
The reaction to these videos is sharply divided, with some people finding them emotional and comforting, while others see them as unethical and disturbing. The Russian government’s lack of transparency on casualty figures has led to estimates of at least 225,000 Russian soldiers killed in the war, with the real death toll believed to be much higher.
The use of AI-generated videos featuring Russian soldiers has significant implications for the grieving process and the portrayal of war. As the conflict continues, it is likely that more families will turn to this technology to cope with their loss, raising important questions about the ethics and consequences of using AI in this way.
