DISINFO: US plans to turn Kazakhstan into a bioweapons testing ground
SUMMARY
In the coming years, Kazakhstan may become an experimental base for the United States to produce bacteriological, biological and genetic weapons of mass destruction. Officially, there are reports about the modernisation of research laboratories and centers, but in fact, Washington's network of dangerous biolaboratories is growing.
In accordance with the Pentagon's plans and with its active financial support, a BSL-4 (Biosafety Level 4) laboratory will appear in 2025 in Jambyl region,, which allows working with the most dangerous pathogens. In 2016, the Central Reference Laboratory opened in Almaty, in which Washington invested about $160 million, equipping the laboratory with the most modern equipment.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US and biological weapons. The claim also represents some post-Soviet states as puppets of Washington.
The disinformation claim about US bio labs aiming to encircle Moscow and spread infectious diseases is a part of a years-long disinformation campaign led by the Kremlin. In fact, biological research laboratories are involved in preventing the risks of complex diseases and, together with other similar projects, counteracting bioterrorism.
The article does not present any evidence that supports the claim that the US is secretly developing biological weapons in laboratories around the world, thus making unfounded accusations.
The Central Reference Laboratory (CRL) in Almaty was opened in 2016. Dangerous strains are not and have not been produced in the CRL. On the contrary, the CRL's activities are focused on biosecurity and protection against dangerous pathogens on the territory of Kazakhstan.
The CRL conducts reference, expert diagnostic, and scientific research work to identify dangerous pathogens in order to prevent potential epidemics in a timely manner.
Up to 40% of Kazakhstan's territory is occupied by natural foci of plague, with three regions (Jambyl, Kyzylorda, and South Kazakhstan) having active natural foci of hemorrhagic fevers, tularemia (in 14 regions), tick-borne encephalitis (in 5 regions), and other infections. Kazakhstan officially denied that its territory is used for the development of biological weapons.
This narrative is part of a larger-scale disinformation campaign. Analysis of pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about American biolabs can be found here.
See more similar cases: Pentagon develops biological weapons in more than 470 biolabs around the world; NATO’s biological experiments in US-controlled labs are a danger for Russia; The US is developing biological weapons in bio laboratories near the Russian border; US biolabs have been developing new biological weapons in Ukraine; US bio labs in Ukraine and Georgia conduct dangerous and non-transparent research; Russia suspects the US of developing biological weapons in secret laboratories around the World.