An extraordinary research is being carried out in Russia that astonishes the scientific world. The study, in which thousands of monkeys were examined, the blood of old primates was collected, and the finest details from their brains to their veins were examined, revealed a remarkable connection to the Kremlin.
The head of the investigation is one of Vladimir Putin's closest circle. Moreover, it is claimed that the goal behind these studies is to push the limits of human life. A dream that the Russian leader has been expressing for years makes all these developments even more striking.
7 THOUSAND MONKEYS, 22 DIFFERENT SPECIES
The Kurchatov Institute in Russia, headed by Putin's close friend Mikhail Kovalchuk, together with the Petrovsky Russian Surgical Research Center, established a biological sample bank consisting of blood samples from primates that lived for many years. The development, which was first announced by the independent Russian news organization Agentstvo, was later reported by Meduza.
Konstantin Kotenko, Director of the Petrovsky Russian Surgical Research Center, said in his statement at the Kurchatov Genomics Forum that the created blood sample bank will be used to understand the biological mechanisms of aging.
Speaking at the same forum, Kurchatov Institute President Mikhail Kovalchuk stated that research conducted on monkeys could pave the way for the creation of a regulatory system to extend human life.
According to the information provided by Kovalçuk, there are more than 7 thousand monkeys belonging to 22 different species in the research facilities of the institute. Scientists especially focus on older primates between the ages of 18 and 30 and beyond these ages.
The scope of the research is also quite broad. Scientists not only examine monkeys' blood samples; It also evaluates in detail the condition of their blood vessels, brain and other organs.
In his speech at the forum, Kovalçuk stated that they carried out screening studies on old monkeys to observe all stages of aging, and that they also evaluated individuals over the age of 18 to 30.
Within the scope of the research, biochemical analyses, structural examinations, vascular examinations and brain scans are performed. Kovalçuk emphasized that primates are one of the closest examples to humans and stated that these studies can form the basis for research on extending human life.
THE NAME IN PUTIN'S CLOSE ENVIRONMENT IS AT THE HEAD OF THE INVESTIGATION
One of the factors that makes the research remarkable is the close relationship of the head of the project, Mihail Kovalçuk, with Putin.
Kovalchuk is known as one of the names in the close circle of the Russian President, like his brother, billionaire Yuri Kovalchuk. He is also believed to be one of Putin's unofficial advisors on science and technology issues.
In the research published by Meduza and Sistema in 2024, it was stated that a state-supported project was being carried out in Russia to slow down aging and that Kovalçuk could be one of the important names behind this initiative.
Therefore, the new bank, created from blood samples of long-lived monkeys, is considered to be part of broader anti-aging research in Russia.
THE IMAGINARY 150 YEAR OLD WAS REFLECTED ON THE MICROPHONES
The connection of the Russian research to Putin's interest in longevity has also come to the fore again. The 74-year-old Russian leader's interest in the idea of extending human life to 150 years was reflected in the world press with a remarkable event during his visit to China in 2025.
While Putin was walking with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, the conversation between the two leaders was caught by microphones that were left open. In the speech held before the military parade held as part of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, biotechnology, organ transplants and extending human life were discussed.
Putin's translator was heard to say that biotechnology is constantly improving, human organs can be transplanted again and again, and people can stay younger and even achieve immortality.
Xi Jinping said that there are predictions that people will live to be 150 years old this century.
After the images received wide coverage in the world press, Putin confirmed in his statement to journalists that they had talked about this issue with Xi. The Russian leader stated that modern health methods, medical developments and surgical practices for organ replacement give hope that the life expectancy of humanity can significantly increase.
'DEFEAT DEATH' PLAN
Longevity research in Russia is not only on the agenda of scientists in Putin's inner circle. The Russian leader's daughter, endocrinologist Maria Vorontsova, recently made statements on Russian state television about her work to combat aging and extend human life.
Vorontsova had talked about plans to develop drugs that could combat old age and defeat death. He stated that one of the main motivations for research to extend human life is the 'existential fear of death'.
When the biological sample bank created from the blood samples of old primates in Russia, the comprehensive examinations carried out on more than 7 thousand monkeys, and Putin's previous statements at open microphones were evaluated together, the extent of longevity research in the country attracted renewed attention.
