Russian families are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create “farewell videos” and “deadbots” of loved ones killed during the war in Ukraine. These AI-generated clips, which gained popularity on social media in mid-2025, often depict soldiers as heroes returning home or appearing as “ghosts” to embrace their families from heaven. Some videos feature soldiers being symbolically shielded by angel wings, while others include mocked-up farewell letters held by the deceased. The practice has become a commercial enterprise. Creators like Katya Jin, who previously sold these videos to followers on TikTok and Instagram, and Anna Korableva, who launched a “Farewell video” project in May 2025, provide services to grieving relatives. Because international generative AI tools are difficult to access from Russia, many families turn to these specific creators. Prices for these videos range from 200 roubles (£2) to 10,000 roubles (£100). Some creators, such as Ulyana Lebed, report earning between 150,000 and 200,000 roubles (£1,500, £2,000) a month from this work. Public and expert reactions to the technology are divided. While some grieving families report that the videos provide a sense of connection or a way to cope with “unfinished farewells,” others state the clips are an illusion that does little to ease their pain. Some users have criticized the practice as unethical or as “cashing in on grief.” Researchers, including Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska of the University of Cambridge, describe the practice as “deeply problematic” due to its political context and note that the long-term psychological impact on the grieving process remains unknown. The videos have also drawn backlash from Ukrainians, who have expressed outrage at the heroic portrayal of Russian soldiers. Meanwhile, the broader conflict continues with long-range strikes. On Saturday, a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Krasnodar region killed one person and injured three, reportedly damaging a Black Sea export terminal. Also, Ukraine’s General Staff reported hitting an oil preparation station in the Volgograd region and various areas in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.