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🇫🇷 France /Conflict & Security

Seers, Mediums and Shamans: Russians Turn to the Occult to Find Relatives Missing in Ukraine

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Ongoing story
  • Families of Russian soldiers missing in Ukraine are increasingly consulting fortune-tellers, mediums and shamans after failing to obtain information through military channels.
  • Moscow has not released an official figure, while the exiled Russian-language outlet Viorstka reported 84,658 requests from families of missing Russian servicemen in April 2025.
  • The account follows the family of 20-year-old Alexander, who disappeared in the Donbas after last contacting relatives in February.

Alexander was 20 and serving as a Russian soldier somewhere in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas when his messages stopped. His family waited, hoped and repeatedly contacted military authorities. Months passed without an answer.

A few days ago, his parents turned to a practice with centuries-old roots in Russia: occultism. On Aug. 21, they posted his name, birth date, photograph and disappearance date on a heavily visited Telegram channel called “Esoterica. Search…” They asked when they would hear from him, what the news would be, and whether he was alive.

The family’s decision reflects the desperation of relatives searching for missing Russian servicemen. The Russian army has not provided news about tens of thousands of soldiers, or has failed to give families the information they seek.

Moscow has released no official figure. Viorstka, a Russian-language media outlet operating in exile, reported that families filed 84,658 requests concerning missing military personnel in April 2025. With official channels offering little relief, more families are seeking answers from seers, mediums and shamans.

Alexander Vinogradov Vladimirovich, born June 25, 2005, missing since February 1, 2026. Please consult the photo. When will we hear from him? What will the news be? Is he alive?

· Alexander’s familyThe family posted this appeal on a Telegram channel seeking information about the missing soldier.
About this summary

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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