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Ukraine has never developed biological weapons, and its cooperation with the United States in the field of biosafety is aimed solely at strengthening public health systems, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
International cooperation focused on public health
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Ukraine and the United States have worked together on biological security programs for many years. These initiatives focus on improving epidemiological surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and biosafety measures.
“This is standard civilian activity that complies with international health standards and practices and is not connected to any military objectives,” the ministry stated.
All laboratories involved in international technical assistance programs are civilian diagnostic, research, or reference laboratories operating within Ukraine’s healthcare and veterinary systems. They function in accordance with the Biological Weapons Convention.
Rejection of Russian disinformation
The ministry stressed that claims about alleged “military biolabs” in Ukraine have been a longstanding element of Russian propaganda. None of Moscow’s accusations have ever been substantiated by international investigations.
In 2022, following Russia’s request, member states of the Biological Weapons Convention conducted an official consultative process. Ukraine provided detailed information about the objectives and implementation of the relevant programs. The United Nations Security Council also reviewed the issue and found no evidence supporting Russia’s allegations.
During the December 2023 meeting of convention member states, Ukraine again reaffirmed its transparency and compliance with international law.
Background
Russia has repeatedly used biological security issues as part of its disinformation campaigns against Ukraine. Among the claims promoted by Russian officials were allegations involving “infected geese” and even “combat mosquitoes” supposedly engineered to target holders of Russian passports—assertions that were never supported by evidence.
The latest controversy emerged after Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of declassified U.S. documents concerning the funding of more than 120 biological laboratories in over 30 countries, including Ukraine. One document reportedly mentioned the risk that a civilian laboratory in Ukraine storing dangerous pathogens could be damaged or captured during wartime.
According to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Russian propaganda quickly seized on these references and attempted to portray routine public-health cooperation as evidence of biological weapons development, despite the absence of any supporting proof.
