In Russia, artificial intelligence is being used to "bring back to life" deceased soldiers

2026-07-14

A disturbing practice is currently developing in Russia. Content creators are using artificial intelligence to animate photos of soldiers who died on the front lines in Ukraine. These videos, which create the illusion that the deceased are speaking or moving, are commissioned by grieving families who wish to keep a living memory of their loved ones.

This phenomenon raises many ethical questions. For families, these images help fill a void, especially when the soldiers' bodies could not be recovered or funerals could not be held. Some clients claim that these videos help them grieve by giving them the impression of saying one last goodbye.

However, experts are concerned about the use of this technology. They fear that these images could be used for propaganda purposes to glorify the conflict or to manipulate public opinion. The line between personal remembrance and political exploitation thus becomes very fragile in the context of war.

This trend shows the extent to which artificial intelligence is transforming our relationship with death and memory. While it offers some short-term comfort to families, it poses a major challenge regarding the management of the digital image of the deceased. The debate over the regulation of these practices has only just begun.