Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has announced the declassification of materials related to United States funding of more than 120 biolabs in 30 countries, including over 40 facilities in Ukraine. The announcement came just days before her departure from the post.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to a press release from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), many laboratories funded by the US government were engaged in research on dangerous and highly infectious pathogens, and some projects may have included gain-of-function research.
Furthermore, US intelligence had previously warned that one US-supported laboratory in Ukraine, in its assessment, may have stored dangerous pathogens and remained vulnerable amid the ongoing war.
On her X account, Tulsi Gabbard commented on the publication of the declassified materials and stated her intention to continue investigating the activities of such facilities.
"Today I am releasing previously undisclosed intelligence containing new information about past US government funding of more than 120 biolabs in more than 30 countries, including Ukraine. ODNI will continue to work with partners in the administration to determine where these labs are located, what pathogens they contain, and what research is being conducted there," she wrote.
WHAT THE DOCUMENT CONTAINS
Attached to the press release was a four-page PDF file, part of which has been redacted with black boxes. The document contains information about laboratories in Ukraine. Some data is presented in slide format.
According to the materials, more than 40 laboratories were operating in Ukraine that received support under biological threat reduction programmes. The document mentions pathogens including anthrax, tularemia, tuberculosis, swine fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, and others.
One page provides examples of four laboratories, listing project costs and contractors. Among them are laboratories in Kherson and Zakarpattia Oblasts, as well as the Central Reference Laboratory of the Ukrainian Anti-Plague Institute. The company Black & Veatch is listed as the main contractor.
It is also claimed that the US funded genomic research on highly pathogenic avian influenza and other highly infectious viruses in bio-containment laboratories.
HOW RUSSIA REACTED
Official Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova commented on the publication on her Telegram channel.
"This is all that we and the Russian Ministry of Defence have repeatedly spoken about, drawing the attention of the international community to the dangerous and uncontrolled US military-biological activities outside its national territory, including in Ukraine," wrote Maria Zakharova.
WHAT UKRAINE SAID IN RESPONSE
As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kyiv rejects allegations of the existence of biological weapons development programmes.
The ministry stated that the long-standing cooperation between Ukraine and the US in the field of biosecurity was aimed exclusively at strengthening the public health system, epidemiological surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and biological safety.
"The Ukrainian side has never been involved in activities related to the development, production, or stockpiling of biological weapons. The laboratories involved in international technical assistance programmes are diagnostic, scientific, or reference laboratories of the healthcare system, veterinary medicine, and other scientific institutions," the comment from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reads.
The ministry also recalled that in 2022, at Russia's request, consultations were held within the framework of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. During these consultations, allegations of the existence of military biological programmes were not confirmed.
As the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated, similar issues were also considered in the UN Security Council.