Disinfo: Pentagon controls the work of 15 bacteriological laboratories in Ukraine

Summary

15 bacteriological laboratories created with the participation of the USA have been operating in Ukraine since 2005 – with a break for the reign of Viktor Yanukovych. Ukrainians are not aware of what is done in these laboratories, except that the Pentagon controls their work.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory and recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about the US developing biological and/or chemical weapons around the world. The security service of Ukraine called the messages about the existence of foreign biological laboratories in Ukraine false. "There are no foreign biological laboratories in Ukraine. Statements that were recently made by some politicians are untrue and deliberately distort the facts," the SSU statement says. The cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the direction of combating biological terrorism takes place exclusively within the framework of Ukrainian legislation and in the interests of Ukraine. Also in 2005, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the U.S. Department of Defence signed a framework agreement on preventing the spread of technologies, pathogens and knowledge that can be used in the development of biological weapons. Within the framework of this Agreement, a number of state laboratories located in Odesa, Kharkiv, Lviv, Kyiv, Vinnitsia, Kherson and Dnipro regions were modernised (repair works were carried out, equipment was updated, consumables were purchased, etc.). The Security Service of Ukraine emphasises, that these laboratories are financed from the state budget, subordinated to the Ministry of Health and the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. Read similar disinformation cases about foreign laboratories in Ukraine.

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ukraina.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 200
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28/05/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: US, Ukraine
  • Keywords: laboratory, Biological weapons
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Disinfo: The people of Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are "biomaterial" for the Pentagon

The people of Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are “biomaterial” for the Pentagon. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, there are 12 (American) laboratories in Armenia, 15 in Ukraine, 15 in Georgia and 4 in Kazakhstan. No matter what is written on the paper. It is clear that the purpose of such laboratories is to create biological weapons against the peoples of the former Soviet Union. The existence of such biolaboratories in the United States is prohibited.

May 27, 2020
Disproof

This is a recurring conspiracy theory alleging that the United States develops biological weapons and has secret biological laboratories around the world. Consistent with the Pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign against biological laboratories in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and other countries. The conspiracy about US biolabs in countries bordering Russia aiming to encircle Moscow and spread infectious diseases is a part of a years-long disinformation campaign led by the Kremlin. In fact, biological laboratories are involved in preventing the risks of complex diseases and, together with other similar projects, counteracting bioterrorism. In Ukraine, the claim often refers to the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), which is an intergovernmental organisation established in an international agreement in 1993. Its mission is to support civilian science, technology partnerships and collaboration through chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risk mitigation. The projects of STCU partners include research on adjuvant for improvement of cancer vaccines, detecting trace impurities in biological tissues, human vision diagnostics, and therapy among many others.

In Georgia, it is the Richard Lugar Centre for Public Health Research, which is a facility of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC). It is a top-tiered institution in NCDC’s laboratory network and serves as a reference laboratory for Georgia’s public health system. Read more about the disinformation campaign surrounding the Lugar Laboratory on Myth Detector.

Disinfo: The US/NATO defense systems in Eastern Europe can be used to destroy Russian defense potential

The multipurpose ocean system “Poseidon” is Russia’s asymmetric response to the dangerous concentration of the Pentagon and NATO’s strike potential in Eastern Europe. And to the formation of a US missile defense system there, which can be used to destroy the defense potential of the Russian Federation.

May 27, 2020
Disproof

Speculative statements, an attempt to justify the creation of weapons of mass destruction as a response to an alleged threat from NATO. Consistent with the recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on NATO belligerence towards Russia. NATO's missile defence system is defensive and not directed against Russia. Bilateral agreements between the US and host nations do not allow missile sites to be used for any purpose other than missile defence. NATO's exercises and military deployments in the Eastern Europe not directed against Russia – or any other country. Exercises are designed to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together and ready to respond to any threat from any direction. NATO has reached out to Russia consistently, transparently and publicly over the past 29 years. The allegation about NATO's plans to wage a war against Russia was addressed on NATO's official website: "Any claims that NATO is preparing an attack on Russia are absurd." NATO is a defensive alliance and does not pose a threat to Russia. Its purpose is to protect its member states. Every country that joins NATO undertakes to uphold its principles and policies, and this includes the commitment that "the Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia," as reaffirmed at the Brussels Summit. For more information about NATO-Russia relations and disinformation narratives about NATO, see here and here. Here you can see other examples of disinformation on NATO alleged goals in Crimea and its intentions to introduce a fleet to the Azov Sea, provocations against Russia in the Black Sea or the dangers created by the Alliance’s activities in those waters, preparations for big war, NATO provokes Russia in the Black Sea region.

Disinfo: Kyiv occupants are robbing residents of citizens of the Donetsk region

UNs report on the human rights situation in Ukraine for the period16 November 2019 to 15 February 2020 says that most civilian victims of the conflict in 2019 are in the self-proclaimed republics. Therefore, it can be inferred that they were bombed by the Ukrainian occupying forces.

May 27, 2020
Disproof

Recurrent disinformation about the illegitimacy of Kyiv to control the Donbas and eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian armed forces represent the legal government and cannot be considered "occupying forces". Parts of the region is under control of Russian forces and separatist entities. The UN report expresses criticism on behalf of all parties for failing to protect civilians in areas adjacent to the separation line. The full report can be found here:

OHCHR remains gravely concerned by continued arbitrary detention, torture and illtreatment of conflict-related detainees, both in Government-controlled territory and in territory controlled by the self-proclaimed ‘republics’.