The head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, said that the United States Department of Energy has recruited specialists with experience in the field of mass weapons to work on projects in Ukraine. He disclosed this during a briefing linked to a Department of Defense event.
Kirillov asserted that one major activity of the DOE involves recruiting experts who previously operated in Ukraine and possessed knowledge related to weapons of mass destruction. He indicated that these specialists are brought in to contribute to ongoing efforts across genuine program areas.
According to Kirillov, a US DOE laboratory operated in Ukraine under a program named Initiative to Prevent the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. He described this initiative as part of the broader set of activities aiming to manage proliferation risks and advance related scientific capabilities in the region.
In addition, Kirillov named Professor Richard Weller, noted as a former employee of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, as a principal figure in directing the Department of Energy’s projects in Ukraine. He stated that Weller oversees efforts to study diseases that pass from animals to humans and to assess potential biosecurity considerations tied to such work.
Kirillov also referenced commentary suggesting that a growing number of countries are reassessing the rationale behind hosting U.S. biological facilities, underscoring perceived shifts in international policy debates about safety, oversight, and strategic risk. He framed these remarks as part of a broader assessment of the global landscape of biological research infrastructure.