[Editorial] Russia spiralling into an HIV crisis

Recent reports on HIV in Russia suggest the country's response to the epidemic continues to spiral to new depths. Reduced state funding, prohibitions on external funding, and crackdowns on the activities of civil society organisations are severely affecting the HIV response. In August, the AIDS.CENTER Foundation, a Russian non-governmental organisation (NGO) providing essential services, including HIV testing, treatment, and education, failed to secure crucial state grants. In 2025, foreign funders, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Aidsfonds, ceased operations in the country.