The government has added steroids and psychostimulants to the list of potent substances.

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs presented the draft of the now-approved government resolution in early February 2025. The explanatory note noted that in 2024, law enforcement officers seized more than 2.4 tons of potent substances from illegal circulation, 42% of which were anabolic steroids.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the most sought-after doping substances on the black market are anabolic steroids, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), and psychostimulants, produced under various brands both abroad and in Russia.

"Doping not only harms athletes' health but also undermines the moral and ethical foundations of sport, undermining public trust in the competitive process and fair competition. The production and sale of drugs containing such substances is highly profitable, which encourages individuals seeking quick and easy enrichment to actively engage in this illegal activity," the explanatory note states.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs noted that products sold on the sports nutrition market as "innovative pre-workout supplements," "fat burners," and "prohormones" are often manufactured illegally, which, according to law enforcement, increases the risk of unforeseen consequences from their use by both professional athletes and ordinary citizens.

It is specified that the chemical structures added to the list with the adoption of the resolution are similar to the structures of a number of anabolic steroids, as well as psychostimulants, and represent modified versions of substances already included in the SDV list.

Specifically, the list includes the anabolic steroid androstanol [2,3-c][1,2,5α]oxadiazol-17β-ol, which is chemically similar to furazabol (included in the SDV list) and is classified as a designer steroid for oral use. It is sold under the name Furuza-50 in capsule form. The list now also includes 5α-androstane-3,6,17-trione, a testosterone biotransformation product, as well as 6-bromandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, which is chemically similar to boldione (included in the SDV list).

The list includes the anabolic steroids 11β-methyl-19-nortestosterone (has androgenic and progestogenic activity, quickly reduces serum testosterone levels), 4-chloro-17α-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-3,17β-diol (an oral testosterone-based anabolic steroid), and 4-chloro-17α-methyl-17β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,11-dione (prohibited for use in equestrian sports due to its anabolic-enhancing properties).

The government has included in the list the psychostimulants 1,4-dimethylpentylamine (1,4-DMAA, which has a chemical structure similar to the substance 4-methylhexan-2-amine, included in the ADHD list), norsibutramine and didesmethylsibutramine (active metabolites of sibutramine, included in the ADHD list).

The list now also includes selective androgen receptor modulators—ligandrol, mastorin, testolone, recardin, and reverol. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that these substances are actively promoted and used in sports to stimulate muscle growth, improve strength and endurance during training, and accelerate fat burning.

"Known potential side effects of SARMs include headaches, adverse lipid changes, changes in sex hormone levels, increased liver enzymes, and liver toxicity. Uncontrolled use of these drugs, in the absence of proper regulation, can cause significant harm to the life and health of the user," the explanatory note states.

In late June 2025, Irina Volk, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, presented the results of Interpol's annual international operation "Pangea," which aims to curb the illegal online trafficking of potent and narcotic drugs, counterfeit medical products, and dietary supplements. Volk emphasized that this year's operation was one of the largest and most successful in its history. Substandard products worth 405.5 million rubles were seized from circulation in Russia. More than 170 criminal cases were opened.