'Black widows': Russian women accused of marrying soldiers to claim war death payouts

The growing controversy has prompted calls for tighter oversight from Russian lawmakersAs Russia's war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, a disturbing new phenomenon has emerged on the home front. Women accused of entering sham marriages with army recruits to claim lucrative state compensation after their deaths have become known in Russia as "black widows" — a trend that has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the Kremlin's wartime policies.According to a CNN report, the alleged scams exploit a system under which the families of Russian soldiers killed in combat receive lump-sum compensation starting at five million roubles (around $64,000). Critics say vulnerable recruits are being manipulated into rushed marriages shortly before deployment, allowing new spouses to become