Disinfo: Secret American bio-labs in Ukraine

Summary

A scandal erupted in Ukraine at the peek of the Coronavirus epidemic in Europe, over the activities of Secret American labs working on dangerous human diseases.

In countries like Ukraine or Georgia, it is easy for Americans to find volunteers to do human tests.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative concerning the coronavirus pandemic and the Tbilisi-based Lugar Lab.

The story fits the broader set of conspiracy theories on the supposed man-made origins of various infectious diseases. There is no evidence that SARS, MERS, or avian influenzas were created in laboratories.

The Lugar laboratory has been repeatedly inspected for adherence to international health standards a partner institution of the World Health Organisation.

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has responded to a request made by lawmakers from the Opposition Platform – For Life parliamentary faction Renat Kuzmin and Viktor Medvedchuk, “regarding disinformation .. that mirrors Russian disinformation” as follows:

“The U.S. Department of Defense's Biological Threat Reduction Program works with the Ukrainian Government to consolidate and secure pathogens and toxins of security concern in Ukrainian government facilities while allowing for peaceful research and vaccine development”. “Meanwhile, the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) ... seeks to advance global peace and prosperity through cooperative Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) risk mitigation by supporting civilian science and technology partnerships and collaboration that address global security threats and advance non-proliferation”.

See similar disinformation cases: US prepares biological weapons against Russia, US is constructing secret biological labs, Pentagon is working out a biological war strategy in the Baltics.

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24.com.eg (Archived)
albidda.net (Archived)
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albawabhnews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 194
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28/04/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Arabic
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Georgia, US, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Lugar Laboratory, Virus / bacteria threat, Biological weapons
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