Russian AI Creators Offer Images of Dead Soldiers for Up to $133
Content creators in Russia are generating AI images of deceased soldiers for grieving families. The images depict the soldiers as heroes and remove signs of battlefield injuries.
New York PostRussian AI creators are charging families of deceased soldiers up to $133 to generate images that portray the soldiers as heroes. The images show the soldiers smiling, waving, or ascending staircases with Russian flags, according to reports cited by the BBC.
The service has expanded as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues into its fifth year. More than 325,000 Russian troops have died in the conflict, creating demand for memorial content that erases visible injuries or battlefield destruction.
One creator identified as Ulyana Lebed stated she earns between $2,000 and $2,600 per month producing the images and videos. That amount is roughly twice the average monthly wage in Russia. The images are used at funeral services and have appeared on digital billboards in Moscow. Some show soldiers returning home with flowers or embracing family members before transforming into angels.
Russian social media platforms have criticized the creators for profiting from grief. One commenter warned a creator that her own husband, a Russian servicemember, could face similar loss. A Ukrainian user responded to promotional posts by stating the creators should be ashamed for earning money from images of soldiers who killed Ukrainian children.
The BBC reported the images are sold through online marketplaces and social media accounts.
