Russian families are turning to artificial intelligence to create digital replicas of soldiers killed in Ukraine, a practice that experts describe as a disturbing humanitarian breach. The phenomenon, reported by independent Russian media, involves feeding photos, videos, and audio of deceased soldiers into AI models to generate interactive avatars that mimic their appearance and speech. These ‘digital ghosts’ are used by grieving relatives to simulate conversations, with some even confessing to feel momentarily convinced their loved ones are still alive.
The process relies on generative AI tools, including deepfake technology and voice cloning, which have become increasingly accessible in Russia despite Western sanctions. Families often obtain the software through Telegram channels or dark web forums, sometimes paying small sums to developers who specialise in ‘grief tech’. The result is a hyper-realistic avatar that can answer questions, share memories, or offer solace—but with no ethical safeguards in place.
Human rights groups have condemned the practice. ‘This is a profound violation of dignity,’ said Dr. Antonina Volkov, a psychologist at the Moscow-based Center for Digital Ethics. ‘Grief is a natural process that requires acceptance and closure. These simulations trap families in a state of denial, preventing them from moving forward. Moreover, the AI lacks any genuine consciousness; it is merely processing data. The emotional manipulation here is dangerous.’
The implications extend beyond individual trauma. Ukrainian officials have likened the trend to ‘digital necromancy’, arguing it trivialises the horrors of war. ‘Russia is using technology to paper over the reality of its losses,’ said Mykola Kovalenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation. ‘Every AI resurrection is a lie that perpetuates the Kremlin’s propaganda machine. These families are victims twice over: first of the war, then of these deceptive algorithms.’
Technologists warn of further risks. Julian Vane, Technology & Innovation Lead at The Standard, explains: ‘The data used to train these models often includes sensitive biometric information like voice prints and facial mappings. Once uploaded to unregulated servers, this data can be stolen, leaked, or repurposed without consent. We have already seen cases of identity theft where AI-generated messages were used to scam relatives into sending money. The ‘resurrection’ industry is a cybersecurity nightmare waiting to happen.’
Legal frameworks in Russia are sparse. While the country’s data protection law requires consent for biometric data processing, enforcement is weak and exceptions exist for ‘socially significant’ purposes. Activists say this loophole allows developers to operate with impunity. ‘The government has shown no interest in regulating this because it distracts from the true human cost of the war,’ said Elena Popova, a lawyer with the Digital Rights Foundation. ‘They would rather families live in a simulation than hold the regime accountable.’
Some families, however, defend the choice. Alexei, a father from Rostov who lost his 22-year-old son in Bakhmut, said: ‘I know it’s not real. But when his avatar tells me he loves me, I feel a peace I can’t get from a grave. This is my way of coping.’ Yet experts caution that such coping mechanisms can become addictive. ‘We are seeing symptoms similar to pathological grief compounded by technological dependency,’ added Volkov. ‘It is a new form of mourning disorder.’
The international community is taking notice. The United Nations Human Rights Council is reportedly deliberating whether AI resurrection violates the right to private life under Article 17 of the ICCPR. Meanwhile, the European Union’s AI Act , though not applicable in Russia, sets a precedent for banning manipulative grief technologies. ‘This is a clear case where the user experience of society has been hijacked by unbridled innovation,’ said Vane. ‘We need global standards that prioritise human dignity over algorithmic novelty.’
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the number of AI resurrections is likely to rise. For now, the digital afterlife serves as a cruel mirror: reflecting not the departed, but the limbo of a nation unwilling to fully confront its dead.
