Families of Russian soldiers killed in the war can receive large government payments. These payments start at 5 million rubles, about $64,000, and can exceed 8 million rubles, or $100,000.
The money is meant to support the spouses and close relatives of soldiers who die in battle. However, reports suggest that some women are exploiting the system for profit.
Russian media have reported on women known as “black widows” since the war in Ukraine began. These women allegedly convince men to marry them before encouraging them to join the army. If the men die, the women can claim their compensation.
CNN recently spoke with Maria, a 37-year-old woman from St. Petersburg whose father was shot and killed while fighting in Ukraine.
Maria said she did not know that her father had joined the Russian army. She also had no idea that he had married a woman 22 years younger than him.
According to Maria, the woman allowed her father to leave for the war only two days after their wedding. After he died, his new wife reportedly collected the government payment.
“I’m still in shock and still can’t accept what happened,” Maria said. “At first, it felt like a dream. Even now, I sometimes wake up thinking I must have just dreamt it all. But it is really happening. I’ve never even spoken to this woman. I don’t know what to say to her because I immediately suspected it was a scam.”
Claims about “black widows” are widely discussed in Russia, especially on social media. However, Russian authorities have acted against people who make such allegations without evidence.
In one viral video, real estate agent Marina Orlova spoke about women marrying soldiers to collect compensation and buy homes after their husbands died.
“It’s simple,” real estate agent Marina Orlova said with a laugh. “Find a man who’s serving in the Special Military Operation, and when he gets killed, you get 8 million rubles ($102,000). Lots of women are buying cheap apartments like that these days. It’s business.”
Her comments caused widespread anger and attracted the attention of Russian authorities. She was prosecuted, given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to apologise to soldiers and their wives.
Some Russian military officials have also been accused of taking part in these schemes.
During an investigation in Primorsky Krai, authorities suspected a warrant officer, a sergeant and a military accountant of targeting vulnerable men and arranging marriages for them.
The officials then allegedly sent the newly recruited husbands on dangerous missions where they were more likely to die. In return, they reportedly expected to receive part of the death compensation paid to the wives.
