Russian women allegedly marry soldiers to claim death benefits, sparking scandal

In Russia, reports are mounting of women who marry army volunteers only days before they are sent to the front, then collect the state death benefit that begins at five million roubles when the soldiers die. Critics argue the scheme cheats the soldiers' own families out of the compensation. One highlighted case involves a St Petersburg woman who discovered her 59-year-old father had secretly enlisted and married a much younger woman two days before his death.

A military hospital nurse was dismissed after allegedly marrying five wounded soldiers to claim their payouts, and a court recently stripped a widow of next-of-kin status after relatives alleged financial motive. Lawmaker Leonid Slutsky has called the issue a serious problem and demanded stronger protection for military families. The scandal is fueling broader resentment toward the Kremlin’s handling of the war effort.