Russia’s Health Minister has called for ambitious levels of HIV testing as the country continues to battle growing numbers of new cases of the virus.
Speaking earlier this month, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko called for a third of Russia’s population to be tested each year.
“Further expansion of medical testing is necessary. Every third citizen should be tested, with particular attention to at-risk groups,” he said. His comments were shared by the department’s media service.
“Further expansion of medical testing is necessary. Every third citizen should be tested, with particular attention to at‑risk groups,” he said. His comments were shared by the department’s media service.
The push comes as the country reports one of the highest levels of HIV in Europe, and an already high level of testing has so far failed to curb the numbers.
More than 143 million people live in Russia, and it is estimated that 1.1 million are now living with the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says Russia has an HIV rate of 890 cases per 100,000 people. By comparison, Britain has 191 per 100,000, France is at 358, and Sweden is at 171.
Russia has remained one of the top five countries for new HIV cases since 2022, according to the United Nations. Joining Russia on the list are South Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria and India.
The total number of people living with HIV in Russia rose by 35,000 in 2025 to reach 1.25 million, according to Vadim Pokrovsky, head of the Federal Scientific and Methodological Center for AIDS Prevention and Control.
“Infection risks are very high,” Pokrovsky said. “If we look only at adults aged 15 to 50, more than 1% are infected — that is, every hundredth person.”
The figure rises to around 4% among men aged 40 to 45, he added. His comments reported by The Moscow Times.
The Russian government’s crackdown on LGBTIQA+ groups and international non‑government organisations working in the HIV sector is suspected to be a factor in the growing number of new cases.
It has designated foreign charities working on HIV prevention and treatment, including the Elton John Foundation, as “undesirable organisations,” prohibiting Russian groups from working with them.
There have also been reports that military recruitment centres for the Wagner mercenary group have offered people living with HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases easier access to medical treatment if they sign up to serve in the military and in the war against Ukraine. Officially, Russia’s military does not allow people with these health conditions to serve in the armed forces.
