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Biological weapons in Ukraine? A look at how stakeholders are responding to Russia’s claim
Here’s what we know so far about Russia’s ‘biological weapons’ claim against US and Ukraine.
The UN security council met on Friday at Russia’s request to discuss Moscow’s claims that the US is funding “military biological activities” in Ukraine. As Russian troops continued to Ukrainian cities and towns, the US accused Russia of using a UN Security Council meeting Friday for "lying and spreading disinformation” as part of a potential false-flag operation by Moscow for the use of chemical or biological agents in Ukraine.
Days ago, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin would "fabricate allegations about chemical or biological weapons to justify its own violent attacks against the Ukrainian people". Russia’s invasion of its east-European neighbour was currently in its third week.
Here’s what we know so far about Russia’s ‘biological weapons’ claim.
What Russia claims
The Russian ministry of foreign affairs, on Sunday, said the US is running a secret “military-biological programme” inside Ukraine with full support of the Ukrainian government.
The Russian government, in a tweet, said its troops had discovered ‘evidence’ of an ‘emergency clean-up’ aimed at eradicating the traces of the military-biological programme.
The ministry also said that it had received documentation from employees at Ukrainian Biolabs, which confirmed urgent destruction of dangerous pathogens.
The allegations were quickly amplified by Russia’s ally China. China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun expressed concern at Russia's accusations and called for an investigation to “provide a comprehensive clarification and accept a multilateral verification”.
What has been US’ response to the claim
Reiterating Washington's position that Ukraine does not have a biological weapons program or such laboratories supported by the United States, US envoy to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it was Russia that could use chemical or biological agents in Ukraine.
“The intent behind these lies seems clear, and is deeply troubling,” she said. “We believe Russia could use chemical or biological agents for assassinations, as part of a staged or false-flag incident, or to support tactical military operation
How Ukraine responded to Russia’s claim
Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said Moscow's accusations "may actually point at Russia preparing another horrific false-flag operation”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also denied Russia’s claim, adding the accusation itself was a bad sign.
What has the UN said
UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu told the council she was aware of media reports about the allegations, adding the United Nations was not aware of any biological weapons programmes.
Biological labs in Ukraine
Ukraine does maintain a network of biological labs dedicated to research into pathogens, and those labs have received funding and research support from the US.
(With inputs from agencies)
