Ukraine has officially refuted accusations of developing biological weapons, stating that all its joint programs with the US in this field are aimed exclusively at strengthening the public health system. This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
The essence of cooperation: civilian goals and international standards
The MFA of Ukraine emphasized that interaction with the United States in the field of biological security has been ongoing for many years. All joint projects are focused on improving epidemiological surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and biosecurity.
«This is ordinary civilian activity that complies with international standards and healthcare practices and is not related to any military goals», — the ministry noted.
All laboratories participating in international technical assistance programs are exclusively diagnostic, scientific, or reference laboratories of the healthcare and veterinary medicine systems. Their work is strictly regulated by the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
International investigations: lack of evidence
The topic of so-called «military bio-labs» is an element of years-long Russian propaganda. No accusations from the Russian Federation have been confirmed at the international level.
In particular, in 2022, at Russia's request, an official consultative process was conducted with the participation of BWC State Parties. Ukraine provided exhaustive data on the goals and mechanisms of implementing the programs. The UN Security Council also considered this issue and found no evidence to support Moscow's allegations.
In December 2023, at the meeting of BWC State Parties, the Ukrainian side once again confirmed its transparency and full compliance with international law. The MFA urged to rely only on verified facts, not on distorted information.
Russian disinformation: from «combat mosquitoes» to document manipulation
The Russian Federation has been using the topic of biological security for disinformation attacks against Ukraine for many years. Previously, Russian representatives at the UN Security Council voiced absurd fake news about preparing «biological attacks using infected geese» and breeding «combat mosquitoes» in Ukrainian laboratories capable of attacking exclusively holders of Russian passports.
Russian diplomacy also tried to manipulate internal US documents, in particular President Donald Trump's executive orders on biosecurity, trying to pass off increased control over research as proof of the existence of military programs near its borders. None of these accusations have been substantiated with evidence.
A new wave of manipulation after the declassification of US documents
A new wave of manipulation arose after US intelligence declassified archival documents about funding more than 120 bio-labs in 30 countries, including Ukraine. US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the publication of materials stating the threat of capture or damage to one of the civilian laboratories in Ukraine, which stored dangerous pathogens under conditions of a full-scale war.
Russian propaganda instantly picked up these declassified data, trying again to pass off ordinary civilian support for the healthcare system as work on creating biological weapons.