The State Research Institute of Military Medicine of the Russian Ministry of Defense has conducted artillery munitions tests on human subjects, according to an investigation by the outlet Proekt.
Researchers used military volunteers to determine the specific shell characteristics required for the destruction or incapacitation of enemy personnel. The study utilized specialized testing grounds featuring experimental sites that simulate fortifications and military equipment.
During these trials, researchers monitored the cardiovascular and nervous systems of the volunteers. They also collected biological samples to evaluate how functional body impairments correlate with the distance from shots fired by 122 mm and 300 mm caliber cannons.
A hub for clandestine operations
Reports from the Military Journal and statements by the institute's director, Sergei Chepur, indicate that since 2015, this facility has become the only Ministry of Defense institution authorized to conduct research involving human participants.
To support these operations, a scientific clinical center was established at the institute in 2018. The facility includes 100 beds and departments for intensive care, therapy, and surgery. In its first year, the center recorded over 300 observations of personnel participating in the testing of weapons, medications, and vaccines.
Beyond munitions, the institute evaluates performance-enhancing drugs, protective gear, and new military equipment. The report also identifies the institute as a primary participant in Russia's chemical weapons program.
Proekt further alleges that Chepur provided consultations to GRU officers linked to the 2018 poisoning attempt of former intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom. That attack utilized the military-grade nerve agent Novichok.
These findings suggest the facility serves as a critical support hub for Russia's high-profile intelligence operations abroad. The investigation follows separate reports of systemic abuse within the Russian military, where footage has emerged showing commanders using torture and starvation to enforce discipline among their own troops.
