Russian families are paying AI creators to generate images and videos of soldiers killed in the Ukraine conflict, with prices ranging from 200 to 10,000 roubles (£2 to £100) per creation. The practice has created a new digital afterlife economy, with one AI creator, Ulyana Lebed, earning between £1,500 and £2,000 monthly—double the average Russian wage. The AI-generated content depicts deceased servicemen smiling and waving, with some images showing soldiers with angel wings, though technical flaws such as distorted faces and extra fingers frequently appear in the outputs.
AI Creator Earns Double Average Russian Wage
Ulyana Lebed generates between £1,500 and £2,000 per month creating AI images and videos of deceased soldiers for their families. This income represents double the average monthly wage in Russia. The demand stems from limited access to generative AI tools within Russia, creating a market for individuals who can produce these digital recreations.
Images Show Soldiers as Angels, Contain Technical Flaws
The AI-generated images depict deceased servicemen smiling and waving at their loved ones. Some creations show soldiers with dove wings resembling biblical angels. However, the AI-generated content frequently contains errors including warped or distorted faces, missing limbs, and extra fingers on both soldiers and family members depicted in the images. AI tools have also been used to generate idealized versions of frontline conditions.
Cambridge Researcher Describes Global Digital Afterlife Trend
Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska, a researcher at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, stated this practice is part of a global "digital afterlife" trend. "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," Nowaczyk-Basińska said. She added: "In a sense, we are all in the midst of a technological and cultural experiment."
One Russian mother who purchased AI pictures and videos of her deceased son told the BBC she uses them to help ease the pain of her loss. "Could technology help me accept that I will never hug my son again? No. It's an illusion," she said.
Ukrainian Critics Condemn Practice as Hero Worship
Ukrainians have criticized the AI images as "hero worship" for soldiers participating in the invasion. One Ukrainian respondent stated: "You should be ashamed to show your 'heroes' who went to earn blood money by killing our children."
FAQ
What is the price range for AI-generated images of deceased Russian soldiers?
The price ranges from 200 roubles (£2) to 10,000 roubles (£100) per AI-generated image or video of deceased soldiers.
How much does AI creator Ulyana Lebed earn from this practice?
Ulyana Lebed earns between £1,500 and £2,000 per month creating AI images and videos of deceased soldiers, which is double the average monthly wage in Russia.
What technical problems appear in the AI-generated soldier images?
The AI-generated images frequently contain errors including warped or distorted faces, missing limbs, and extra fingers on the people depicted in the content.
