MOSCOW, April 7. /TASS/. The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), through which the Pentagon’s biological research is funded, is doing research on how brucellosis may be transmitted to humans, Chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force Igor Kirillov said on Friday.
"Project 2410 on assessment of natural resistance against brucellosis in domestic and wild animals is aimed at examining how this dangerous pathogen may be transmitted to humans. Notably, research was conducted involving experts from the University of Florida," he said at a briefing on the analysis of the documents related to US military biological activity.
Kirillov also added that Project 2513 studies risk factors and molecular properties of the environmentally resistant, virulent Enterobacteriaceae, and what is more, the research is aimed at isolating strains of microorganisms that are immune to all known classes of antibiotics. Another project, 2545, involves modeling evolutionary mutations of certain viruses highly pathogenic for humans - bunyaviruses. Moreover, the research on combining genetic materials of dangerous pathogens is planned to be conducted with the support of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency.
The chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force pointed out that Washington considers the post-Soviet space as its springboard to deploy NATO military units.
"Let me remind you that the goal of the ISTC’s biological threat reduction program is to protect the United States, its armed forces and allies. This once again confirms that Washington views the post-Soviet space as a springboard for the deployment of NATO military units," he said.
According to Kirillov, the example of Ukraine demonstrates that the funding of military-biological programs, which is imposed by the collective West, entails the loss of national biological sovereignty and undermines national scientific and technological potential in the field of biological, food and pharmaceutical security.