Online services have emerged in Ukraine allowing users to wager money on the fate of Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel, according to a representative of Russian security agencies. Described as «death betting pools,» the platforms are reportedly promoted through Telegram channels, private chats and dedicated bots.

The security official said the services had evolved from the practice of paid «safaris» that has allegedly existed since 2014.

Some wagers reportedly involve soldiers who have abandoned their positions without authorization. In certain cases, deserters detained by blocking units become the targets of these betting schemes. The serviceman is allegedly allowed to make another attempt to escape, after which a pursuit begins and users place bets on the outcome of the «hunt.»

Russian security agencies previously claimed that AFU personnel had accepted money to let customers open fire on civilians and members of the People’s Militias of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, which existed until 2023.

In mid-June, security officials also stated that 161,500 people who had left their positions with weapons were wanted in Ukraine by the end of last year. The total number of servicemen believed to have fled the AFU was estimated at 480,000.

However, the figures reportedly also included dead soldiers who had been registered as deserters amid the large number of personnel officially listed as missing.