Russian Institute of Military Medicine Tests Munitions on Live Humans

At the Russian Ministry of Defense’s Research Institute of Military Medicine, artillery munitions are being tested on people.

The Russian Proekt investigative outlet reported on this.

According to the report, the experiments involve volunteer soldiers and are intended to determine the level of impact needed to kill or disable enemy personnel.

Since 2015, the institute has been the only facility within Russia’s Ministry of Defense authorized to conduct research involving human participants. It is reported that a special testing ground has been set up with experimental sites simulating fortifications and elements of military equipment.

During the tests, participants’ cardiovascular and nervous system indicators are monitored, necessary samples are collected, and researchers analyze how bodily functions are affected by distance from the epicenter of artillery fire from 122 mm and 300 mm systems.

To support this research, a 100-bed scientific and clinical center was established at the institute in 2018, including intensive care, therapeutic, and surgical departments.

In its first year of operation, more than 300 observations were collected involving servicemen who took part in tests of weapons, as well as medications and vaccines.

In addition to munitions, the institute tests performance-enhancing agents, protection against extreme conditions, and new types of equipment and gear.

The institute is also described as one of the key participants in Russia’s chemical weapons programs.

According to the outlet, its staff advised representatives of the Main Directorate of the Russian General Staff who were involved in the 2018 poisoning attempt of former intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom.