Ukraine's foreign ministry responds to biolabs allegations
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issues statement on "biolabs" claims (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine has never engaged in developing biological weapons, and its cooperation with the United States in this area is aimed exclusively at strengthening the public health system, reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Essence of international cooperation
The agency emphasized that cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in biosafety has been ongoing for many years. All joint programs are focused on improving epidemiological surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and biosecurity.
"This is standard civilian activity that complies with international health standards and practices and is not related to any military purposes," the ministry stressed.
All laboratories involved in international technical assistance programs are strictly diagnostic, scientific, or reference laboratories within the public health and veterinary medicine systems.
They operate under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC).
Refutation of Russian disinformation
The topic of so-called "military biolaboratories" has been part of long-standing Russian propaganda. None of the allegations made by Russia has been confirmed internationally.
In 2022, an official consultative process was conducted at Russia's request, with the participation of BTWC member states.
Ukraine provided comprehensive information on the objectives and implementation mechanisms of the programs. The UN Security Council also examined the issue and found no evidence supporting Moscow's claims.
In December 2023, at a BTWC meeting, the Ukrainian side once again confirmed its transparency and full compliance with international law. The Foreign Ministry urged reliance on verified facts rather than distorted Russian narratives.
Background
The Russian Federation has for years used the issue of biological security as part of disinformation campaigns against Ukraine.
Earlier, the media reported that Russian representatives at the UN Security Council spread absurd claims about plans for biological attacks using infected geese and the development of combat mosquitoes in Ukrainian laboratories capable of targeting only holders of Russian passports.
Russian diplomacy also attempted to manipulate internal US documents, including executive orders by US President Donald Trump on biosecurity, portraying tighter research controls as evidence of military programs near its borders. None of these allegations has ever been supported by any evidence.
A new wave of manipulation emerged after US intelligence declassified archival documents on funding for more than 120 biolabs in 30 countries, including Ukraine. US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of materials referring to the threat of a laboratory in Ukraine being seized or damaged, which was storing dangerous pathogens under conditions of full-scale war.
Russian propaganda quickly seized on these declassified materials, again attempting to portray standard civilian public health support as a program for developing biological weapons.
