HIV infections among Russian military personnel have surged dramatically since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to a recent report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the incidence of HIV in the Russian armed forces increased by 2000%, reaching 20 times the pre-war levels by the end of 2024.
Prison culture and frontline risks drive the outbreak
Experts link this sharp rise to a combination of factors, including the influx of former prisoners bringing prison-related habits into the military, unprotected sexual activity among troops, and drug use on the front lines. The report highlights how the Russian government’s policies under the guise of protecting “traditional values” have intensified pressure on HIV prevention and education organizations, limiting their ability to operate effectively.
Military recruitment lowers health standards amid epidemic
The military’s recruitment strategy reportedly ignores serious health conditions. Bloggers and activists note cases of conscription of individuals with HIV, hepatitis, and mental health disorders. Anastasia Kashevarova, head of the NGO Women’s Front, points out that many recruiters overlook diseases, allowing sick individuals to join the ranks. She warns that healthy soldiers are at risk of infection both in hospitals and in shared trenches, while the Ministry of Defence fails to address or treat these illnesses adequately.
Long-term demographic and economic impacts expected
The report cautions that the demographic and economic fallout from this HIV epidemic could last decades, potentially surpassing the damage caused by the Ukraine war itself. Public commentators, including the blogger Ilya Varlamov, criticize the army’s condition, describing it as a breeding ground for infections and systemic dysfunction, which undermines its credibility and poses wider public health risks in Russia.
Russia ranks among global leaders in new HIV cases
Beyond the military, Russia’s overall HIV situation remains alarming. Since 2022, it consistently ranks in the top five countries for new HIV infections worldwide, trailing only South Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria, and India. In 2021, Russia accounted for 3.9% of all new HIV cases globally, exceeding countries like Tanzania and Kenya, underscoring a broader national health crisis.
