Russian families make AI‑generated videos to ‘resurrect’ loved ones killed in Ukraine
In recent months, scenes of snowy Moscow streets and billboards proclaiming the end of the war have been paired with AI‑deepfake clips that show deceased soldiers returning in triumph. These videos, shared by popular social‑media influencers, depict the fallen as heroic figures embracing their families. The role of these AI creations is to give grieving relatives a chance to “meet” their loved ones again, even if only digitally.
The first echo of this trend appeared in May 2025 when Anna Korableva of Kamensk‑Uralsky began producing a series called “Farewell video” aimed at helping families cope with unfinished farewells. She described early days as “crying almost every day” before learning to separate emotion from the technical craft of creating living‑like videos.
Korableva’s project has attracted requests mainly from families of soldiers who died on the Ukrainian front since 2022. According to BBC and Russian outlet Medizona, at least 225,000 Russian soldiers have been confirmed dead, although the true number is likely higher.
The most commercial examples come from creators such as Katya Jin, who previously shared tutorials on producing AI content on TikTok and Instagram. After gaining a large following—close to 10 million TikTok and 50 000 Instagram followers—she sold customized videos that could range from just over 200 roubles (£2) to 10 000 roubles (£100). Some creators, such as Ulyana Lebed, report earning up to 200 000 roubles (£2 000) per month.
Critics argue that these videos cash in on grief and blur the line between memoriality and propaganda. Many Ukrainians who view the posts react with anger, describing the content as “killing our children” and a national shame. Within Russia, the lack of access to international generative‑AI tools has made many dependent on local creators.
The psychological impact remains uncertain. Researcher Katarzyna Nowaczyk‑Basińska argues that posthumous avatars “are deeply problematic” in a wartime context, and that people may not find the illusion helpful for coping with loss. Some families say the videos comfort them while others feel they worsen their pain.
Not surprisingly, this phenomenon sits within the broader “digital afterlife” industry. The same technology is already used in museums, courtrooms, and political campaigns. As the war continues, dark humor, propaganda, and grief mingle in new AI‑generated visualisations.
