The key facts

  • A generalized stage of the HIV epidemic is observed in 27 regions of Russia
  • In 2025, 45,000 new cases were detected — 13.4% fewer than in 2024
  • 30,000–34,000 deaths among people with HIV are registered annually; viral load is suppressed in only half of carriers

The epidemic has spread beyond risk groups

A generalized stage of the HIV epidemic is being observed in 27 regions of Russia — this means the infection is no longer confined to specific high-risk groups and is spreading among broad segments of the population. This was reported, citing data from Vasily Akimkin, director of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, and the outlet Medvestnik by Nezavisimaya Gazeta, whose material is referenced by Kun.uz.

The number of new cases is declining, but the problem is not easing

In 2025, 45,000 new HIV cases were detected in Russia — 13.4% fewer than in 2024. Despite a steady decline in the number of new cases, the overall situation is not improving, noted Natalia Ladnaya, a leading researcher at the institute's AIDS Prevention and Control Department, whose words are cited by the outlet.

Mortality and treatment coverage

According to Ladnaya, among people living with HIV in Russia, 30,000–34,000 deaths are registered annually; Medvestnik described this figure as extremely high. By the end of 2025, viral load suppression had been achieved in only half of HIV carriers in the country, and among those receiving treatment — in 77.9%, whereas the international target is at least 95%.

Healthcare-associated infections — the highest in 15 years

Infections in medical facilities were named as a separate problem. According to Elena Igonina, head of the epidemiological surveillance directorate at Rospotrebnadzor, in 2025 eight outbreaks of HIV and hepatitis transmission during medical care were detected — the highest figure in the past 15 years. In total, 104 patients were infected in these outbreaks; the outlet does not specify how many involved HIV and how many involved hepatitis. Igonina cited violations of sanitary and epidemiological requirements as the main cause, including the reuse of catheters and glucometers intended for individual use on multiple patients.

Budget plans

According to Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Russia's draft budget for 2027 includes additional funds for medicines calculated to extend treatment coverage to another 30,000 people with diagnosed HIV. Thus, against the backdrop of a declining number of new diagnoses, the key constraints are related not to detection rates but to treatment coverage and effectiveness: suppressed viral load has so far been achieved in only half of carriers, which is significantly below the international target.