'Black Widows': Women Accused Of Honey-Trapping Russian Troops, Claiming Death Benefits

Published 6 August 2026 · india

News world 'Black Widows': Women Accused Of Honey-Trapping Russian Troops, Claiming Death Benefits 'Black Widows': Women Accused Of Honey-Trapping Russian Troops, Claiming Death Benefits Published

News world 'Black Widows': Women Accused Of Honey-Trapping Russian Troops, Claiming Death Benefits 'Black Widows': Women Accused Of Honey-Trapping Russian Troops, Claiming Death Benefits Published By, Last Updated: August 06, 2026, 08:54 IST When a Russian soldier is killed (martyred) in a fight, his next of kin is entitled to receive lump sums from the country's army Mounting concerns over 'black widows' claiming Army recruits' death benefits, while cutting out their families | Image for representation: AFP Maria was recently informed by the Russian military that her 59-year-old father had been killed during the Ukraine war, and later succumbed to his wounds. Devastated and shocked over the loss of her beloved dad, she was unable to believe that he was even enlisted in the army. Not only this, but Maria also got to know that her father, Yury, had got married just two days before being sent to the war, CNN reports.

She admitted that the episode –– that came out of nowhere –– had felt like a nightmare that she hoped would end soon. But the reality couldn’t be ignored. “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". His father’s bride was 22 years younger than him and had become his legal next of kin, making her eligible for official compensation. According to to Maria, she had never met or even heard her father mention her. “I’ve never even spoken to this woman," Maria, 37, told CNN. “I don’t know what to say to her because I immediately suspected it was a scam." What Exactly Is The Scenario? When a Russian soldier is killed (martyred) in a fight, his next of kin is entitled to receive lump sums from the country’s army.

With the compensation starting with USD 5 million rubbles (approximately USD 64,000), it ensures the family or relatives of the soldier that they will be looked after. However, reports claim that the benefit is increasingly being exploited by scammers, whom Russian authorities and state media describe as “black widows". CNN reports that such women marry vulnerable men on false pretexts before sending them off to the Ukraine war, and later claim official compensation while cutting out their families and relatives. Marriage On Deathbeds As the Ukraine war drags on, mounting concerns have emerged in Russia about army recruits being honey-trapped into marriage before perishing on the front lines. Several reports have suggested those recruits were even compelled to marry while “on their deathbeds". Last year, a nurse employed at a military hospital was sacked after being accused of marrying five soldiers in her care to fetch their compensation.