The health ministry’s directive, revealed through investigative reporting by Russian outlets and Sistema, has mandated research institutes to quickly formulate proposals in several key areas. These areas include combating cellular ageing, pioneering technologies to prevent cognitive decline and sensory impairment, and devising methods to modulate and correct the immune system. The initiative also emphasizes cutting-edge medical technologies leveraging bioprinting.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova introduced the government’s strategic investment in advanced technologies for healthy ageing at the ‘Rossiya’ exhibition in Moscow. This move aligns with the broader national goal of enhancing longevity among Russian citizens.
One Russian doctor who received the directive in June reacted with astonishment at the urgent nature of the task.
“They asked us to fast-track all of our proposals — it felt like the letter had just arrived today and the deadline was yesterday. To be honest, it was the first time I’d seen anything like it — usually, any national project or federal program is preceded by several meetings involving various specialists and some sort of public discussion,” he said.
Another researcher echoed these sentiments, expressing bewilderment at the timing and priority of the project amidst ongoing national challenges.”When we got this letter, honestly, I was stunned. The whole premise baffled me. Oh sure, let’s work on restoring the health of these old fogies — it’s not like there’s anyone else who needs our attention. Right in the middle of the war, we’re just supposed to drop everything. The level of cynicism is bewildering,” another researcher said.Concerns over the financial feasibility of the research were also raised. A source close to the Kremlin questioned the viability of the national project.
“All the modern research discussed in the national project is quite expensive—developing new drugs costs billions. No single national project can handle that, especially now. I don’t think they will be able to put together anything meaningful quickly,” the source stated.
Mikhail Kovalchuk, a close associate of President Putin and director of the Kurchatov Institute, Russia’s leading nuclear research facility, has been a vocal advocate for the anti-ageing initiative.
He “raves about eternal life and the ‘Russian genome,'” a Kremlin source said.
The urgency behind this initiative comes in response to recent data indicating a decline in Russia’s average life expectancy. Reports from the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia (Rosstat) revealed that between July 2023 and June 2024, the average life expectancy dropped to 73.24 years.
As this ambitious project unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the scientific community will meet the tight deadlines and whether the proposed solutions will be both effective and financially sustainable. The goal of saving 175,000 lives by 2030 presents a formidable challenge that will require significant innovation and collaboration among Russia’s top researchers and institutions.
