US intelligence declassifies files on alleged biolab network in Ukraine and beyond
Director tional Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (Photo: Getty Images)
Declassified documents on the funding of more than 120 biolabs in more than 30 countries have been released in the US. Among the countries mentioned is Ukraine, states Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
What has been released
After several months of reviewing intelligence community archives, materials have been published detailing funding for more than 120 biolabs in more than 30 countries.
According to the agency, some of these laboratories were funded by American taxpayers, and information about the program's scale was intentionally concealed for a long time.
What is said about Ukraine
The documents claim that one of the laboratories in Ukraine, which allegedly received US funding, may have stored dangerous pathogens and remained vulnerable to the risk of seizure, damage, or attack in wartime conditions.
No specific details about the nature of the research are provided in the documents.
What Gabbard said
According to her, a number of laboratories have conducted or are conducting research using dangerous and highly contagious pathogens, including, according to the agency, so‑called "gain‑of‑function" research.
"Despite the obvious potential for catastrophic global impact research on dangerous pathogens in biolabs can have, politicians, so-called health professionals like Dr. Fauci, and entities within the Biden administration's national security team lied to the American people about the existence of U.S.-funded and supported biolabs," Gabbard said.
She also announced that the intelligence community has been tasked with strengthening data collection on the activities of such laboratories abroad.
Important context
The narrative about dangerous biolabs in Ukraine has been one of the key elements of the Russian disinformation campaign since the beginning of the full‑scale invasion. There is currently no independent verification of the specific claims made in the declassified documents.
The release of the documents is one of Gabbard's final acts in office. The Director of National Intelligence will leave her post on June 30 — the reason for her resignation is her husband's serious illness. CIA veteran Aaron Lucas will become the acting director.
