The Russian Ministry of Defense released news on March 10 that U.S. biological laboratories established and funded in Ukraine have conducted experiments on bat coronavirus samples. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, for its part, questioned what the 336 biological laboratories on U.S. bases inside and outside the country had done.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov confirmed to reporters that U.S.-established and funded biological laboratories in Ukraine have conducted experiments on bat coronavirus, Sputnik reported March 10. “Documents show that the United States has conducted experiments on bat coronavirus samples in biological laboratories established and financed in Ukraine.”
Igor Konashenkov noted that the purpose of the Pentagon’s funding of biological research in Ukraine was to establish a mechanism for the clandestine transmission of deadly pathogens. “Detailed information about a U.S. project in Ukraine aimed at studying the spread of pathogens through wild migratory birds between Ukraine and Russia and other neighboring countries is of particular interest.”
The document shows that the U.S. side had planned to carry out research work on the bird, bat and reptile pathogens in Ukraine in 2022 and further study the transmission of African swine fever and anthrax through them.
Konashenkov revealed that experts of the Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Forces studied documents on the transfer to foreign governments of human biological materials obtained in Ukraine on the instructions of the U.S. representatives. The Russian Defense Ministry will soon release another package of documents on secret U.S. military-biological activities in Ukraine and give the results of their identification.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian noted on March 10 that China has always been firmly opposed to the development, possession or use of biological and chemical weapons by any country under any circumstances. “What exactly did the United States do at its Fort Detrick base on its territory and at its 336 biological laboratories outside its borders? The international community knows nothing about whether they are in compliance with the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological Weapons, and this is not something that can be dealt with in just a couple of words.”
Zhao Lijian once again urged the U.S. to effectively fulfill its international obligations, provide a full clarification of its biomilitary activities inside and outside its borders, and accept multilateral verification, as well as complete the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile as soon as possible.