Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the commander of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces of the Russian Federation, warned that the United States operates biological laboratories in other countries in a way that creates broad regional risks. He emphasized that these facilities, by their very nature, can become sources of dangerous pathogens and that their work is often conducted with limited transparency. The general suggested that the lack of visibility into ongoing activities increases the chance that pathogens could spread beyond intended borders and into nearby communities. These concerns were raised during a briefing with reporters and military analysts keeping a close watch on global biosecurity developments. [attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense briefing]
Kirillov argued that relocating the most sensitive lines of biological research outside the United States aligns with a broader U.S. strategy in the realm of biosecurity. He contended that placing biological objects in third countries does not adequately account for the interests and safety of the host communities. The general warned that such arrangements might create practical risks for residents and, in worst cases, could inadvertently facilitate the movement of toxic substances to foreign military facilities. [attribution: statements from the defense briefing]
As part of his briefing, Kirillov recalled public demonstrations from early 2022 in South Korea. He cited protests in Busan where residents voiced concerns about nearby U.S. biological laboratories located near a major military base. The account highlighted local resistance to facilities viewed as potential threats to environmental safety and public health. [attribution: regional news reports and official summaries]
In related political developments, a former Chairman of the State Duma Control Committee, Oleg Morozov, released notes indicating that the parliamentary commission conducting an inquiry into American biological laboratory activities in Ukraine reached a unanimous preliminary consensus on its final report. The commission reportedly moved toward formal conclusions about the scope and conduct of those programs within Ukraine, underscoring ongoing parliamentary scrutiny and international interest in the issue. [attribution: parliamentary oversight committee summaries]