Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
One widow married five times, and all of her husbands died in the war – making her eligible for compensation five times.
One widow married five times, and all of her husbands died in the war – making her eligible for compensation five times.
What is happening?
A growing number of Russian women are exploiting wartime conditions by marrying soldiers headed to the frontlines—only to collect death benefits after the men are killed in combat.
Known as “black widows,” these women are reportedly earning up to €85,000 in compensation per case.
How the scam works
The process is disturbingly straightforward:
Women marry soldiers, sometimes just days before deployment. Once the soldier dies in battle, the widow receives state compensation, including a lump sum, child allowances, and monthly benefits.
The entire setup mimics a genuine family unit—on paper, at least.
One woman, five dead husbands
One of the most shocking examples comes from Buryatia, where a nurse allegedly married five wounded soldiers.mEach died shortly after.
Her involvement in their final days—posing as a caregiver—allowed her to gain their trust and secure marriage papers just before their deaths.
Confessions of a “Black Widow”
In a video circulating via Russian journalists, a woman openly describes the scheme:
“He’s going to the front, I’m already registering the children in his name. I get a five million payment, plus school and kindergarten allowances. We’ll live well and go to the seaside.”
The legal loophole
Under Russian law, families of fallen soldiers receive between five and eight million rubles—roughly €85,000. Additional benefits are granted if children are involved.
For scammers, the financial incentives are enormous, especially in economically challenged regions.
Hunting for dying soldiers
Volunteers and caregivers at military hospitals are reportedly key players in identifying vulnerable targets.
“Give a soldier a bit more attention, and logic disappears,” said military volunteer Roman Alehin.
In the confusion of war and injury, consent to marriage is easily obtained.
A military unit turned marriage mill
In Primorye, authorities uncovered a ring involving a non-commissioned officer, his wife, a sergeant, and a military accountant.
Together, they orchestrated a system to marry off vulnerable men—those without close relatives—and claim state compensation, even securing property in the deceased soldiers’ names.
Legal pushback begins, but proving fraud is tricky
Russia’s State Duma is now working on a law aimed at curbing these fraudulent marriages. But proving a union was fake remains difficult.
In one case from Khakassia, a mother tried to contest her son’s marriage in court. Despite her claims, the judge ruled the marriage valid.
Thousands of cases, little accountability
The phenomenon is believed to involve thousands of cases across Russia.
With few prosecutions and limited legal tools to verify marital intent, many fear the problem will persist—draining public funds and undermining the dignity of genuine war widows.
War, grief, and profit
What began as state support for grieving families has become a dark underworld of transactional grief.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on, the line between sacrifice and exploitation continues to blur.
