Uncontrolled epidemic in the Russian army
Experts say that hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV, have spread in the Russian army like a true epidemic. Thousands of military personnel from Russia, diagnosed with these conditions, are participating in combat operations against Ukraine. The routes of infection have varied - from drug addiction to the use of the same syringes in hospitals.
This was reported by Radio Liberty, cites 'Glavkom'.
Sick soldiers are not sent for treatment; they remain on the front in Ukraine, although such practice is prohibited by a decree from the Russian Ministry of Defense. By the end of 2024, there were 1,215,145 people with confirmed HIV-positive diagnoses in Russia. The prevalence of HIV infection was 831.8 cases per 100,000 population, and the number of infected Russian soldiers increased 20 times compared to the indicators before the war.
Risks of soldiers contracting infections
Specialists note that the risks of contracting sexually transmitted infections among military personnel in peacetime are 2-5 times higher than among the civilian population, and during wartime, these risks can increase even more. There are many factors that promote the spread of infections among military personnel, such as shared drug use, homosexual contacts, interactions with sex industry workers, and the possibility of infection in medical facilities on the battlefield.
Earlier, 'Glavkom' reported that British intelligence studied the state of healthcare in the Russian army. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the Ukrainian army has serious issues with medical aid at all levels.
The message underscores a serious problematic aspect of the state of the Russian army - the uncontrolled epidemic of hepatitis and HIV among military personnel. Soldiers diagnosed with these diseases remain on the front lines, where there is a high risk of infecting other soldiers. Specialists note that cohabitation in wartime increases the likelihood of transmission of sexually transmitted infections.