DISINFO: There were US-funded biological experiments in Ukraine to enhance pathogens
SUMMARY
US-funded military biological experiments were conducted in Ukraine and a Ukrainian network of more than 30 biological laboratories used synthetic biology methods to amplify the pathogenic properties of microbes, among other things, in violation of international law. The Lviv bio-laboratory worked with pathogens of plague, anthrax, and brucellosis, while the laboratories in Kharkiv and Poltava worked with pathogens of diphtheria, salmonellosis, and dysentery. On 24 February, the day the Russian invasion began, the Ukrainian Ministry of Health ordered the immediate destruction of biological materials in the laboratories and the urgent halting of biological programmes.
RESPONSE
The claim is part of a Kremlin attempt to mobilise domestic Russian support for its war with deliberately playing on the fear-and-scare factor.
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US and biological weapons. Consistent with the Pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign against biological laboratories in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia and other countries.
The disinformation about US-controlled or funded bio labs aiming to encircle Moscow and spread infectious diseases is a part of a years-long disinformation campaign led by the Kremlin. The article does not present any evidence that supports the claim that the US is developing biological weapons in laboratories around Ukraine, and the narrative is distorting reality.
In fact, biological laboratories are involved in preventing the risks of complex diseases and, together with other similar projects, counteracting bioterrorism. So it is true that a cooperation agreement was signed in 2005 between the US Department of Defense and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, but the aim was to deal with pathogens leftover from biological warfare research under the Soviet regime. These laboratories are staffed by Ukrainian researchers working under Ukrainian authority, but with US support, among others. In any case, the labs are not secret, their researchers publish regularly and are open to the international scientific community and their operation and funding is in accordance with international law.
The claim was made in the context of an ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine on multiple fronts, as footage, foreign correspondents, social media, local journalists and citizen witnesses have proven beyond any doubt.
See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.