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Bird flu outbreaks in Russia spark concern over US bio experiments in Ukraine — top brass

Russian Defense Ministry specialists, together with Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives and specialists from agricultural regulator Rosselkhoznadzor, confirmed the facts of the collection and certification of bird flu strains on the territory of the Askania-Nova nature reserve

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. Outbreaks of bird flu in Russia are causing concerns about US-contracted biological experiments that had been conducted at the Askania-Nova nature reserve in Kherson, when it was under Ukrainian control, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces, said on Friday.

He highlighted instances of the mass die-off of birds that occurred within the Kherson reserve in 2021. The Ukrainian side offered large cash rewards to the employees of the institution for removing or destroying the results of studies on bird flu strains that had been conducted there. Kirillov pointed out that the US government had been the contractor for such projects.

"Against this background, the increase in incidences of bird flu in Russia and in European countries is of particular concern. [In Europe,] according to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the disease has become prevalent year-round and losses from it since 2021 have exceeded 3 billion euros. Since the beginning of this year, 32 outbreaks of bird flu have been registered in Russia in all federal districts. In the last week alone, the disease was detected at enterprises in the Kirov and Yaroslavl regions. Since May 17, 2023, quarantine measures for highly pathogenic bird flu have been introduced in Moscow," Kirillov said during a briefing on US military and biological activities.

Russian Defense Ministry specialists, together with Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives and specialists from agricultural regulator Rosselkhoznadzor, confirmed the facts of the collection and certification of bird flu strains on the territory of the Askania-Nova nature reserve, including of the H5N8 strain, which can have a lethality rate of up to 40% if transmitted to humans, the Russian defense official pointed out.

"Even in the decontaminated samples, there still are traces of genetic material of highly pathogenic bird flu, Newcastle disease, avuloviruses," Kirillov stressed.

Earlier, the Russian defense official reported that the main objective of the US-contracted research carried out at the Askania-Nova nature reserve was to collect strains of especially dangerous and economically significant infections and transfer them to the Pentagon.

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The report also stated that this delivery highlights the strengthening of military-technical cooperation between Russia and Niger

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Georgian Police pushes protesters from entire Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi

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"If the agreement is violated, we will proceed to an all-out war," Benjamin Netanyahu told

Russia’s top diplomat slams NATO for discussions of preemptive strikes on Russia

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Putin declares Kazakhstan visit a success

The Russian leader pointed out that Kazakhstan is more than just a trusted ally of Russia

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Ukrainian media reports plant in Lvov Region destroyed

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Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Israel reports some violations of Lebanon ceasefire by Hezbollah

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Oreshnik’s massive strike comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

The Russian leader additionally stressed that "certainly, Oreshnik is not a weapon of mass destruction"

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Kremlin considers militants' attack on Aleppo encroachment on Syria's sovereignty

"We urge Syria’s authorities to reassert control and restore constitutional order as soon as possible," Dmitry Peskov stressed

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Case against Ukrainian militants, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

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Several Oreshnik missiles equivalent to nuclear strike, do not harm environment — Putin

The Russian president still reiterated that such a strike is not nuclear, because it is highly accurate and not equipped with a nuclear explosive device

Sending EU troops to Ukraine to make peace settlement impossible — Austrian lawmaker

Harald Vilimsky noted that the joint deployment of European troops will further escalate the security situation in Europe

Ukrainian forces follow Russian troops’ example to use fiber optics drones, Putin says

The head of state is confident that there will be a quick response from the Russian side

Kiev regime’s ringleaders completely illegitimate, says Putin

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The Russian president pointed to a tense global situation

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Mikhail Galuzin described such plans as provocative and noted that they "confirm the West’s intention to continue its profound engagement in a direct standoff with Russia"

Putin believes that US President-elect Trump’s life may be in danger

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Russian scientists to develop computer working at ‘speed of light’ by 2027 — researcher

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"The potential future use of Oreshnik will render ATACMS and Storm Shadow as battle-losing capabilities," a retired British diplomat and former economic counsellor at the British Embassy in Moscow Ian Proud said

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Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

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"We look forward to close and fruitful cooperation with our Korean comrades," Andrey Belousov said

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Ukrainian group of 22 servicemen surrenders in Kursk Region — law enforcement officials

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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Clashes between protesters, police break out in Georgian capital

Police officers are using tear gas, trying to push protesters back

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"Regional and global peace cannot be achieved unless an urgent, just, lasting ceasefire is established in Gaza," the Turkish leader stressed

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Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

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Kiev opposes Washington's demand for lowering draft age — media

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Hungarian PM’s office rules out his trip to Moscow for 80th anniversary of Victory

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Ukrainian army says desertion main reason for loss of Ugledar

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Three dead, 21 poisoned in social center in Russia’s Altay Region

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Russian troops liberate four communities in Donetsk area, Kharkov Region over week

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Decision-making centers in Kiev could be targeted in Oreshnik strikes — Putin

The Russian leader also mentioned military facilities and defense industry enterprises as possible targets

Strike on NATO bases possible in case of escalation, Medvedev says

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Ukraine not South Korea's ally to demand weapons — newspaper

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"Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on the conflict and other pressing international topics," the ministry stated

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Biden's decision on ATACMS 'not panacea', it will harm Kiev — Defense News columnists

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North Korean defense minister notes extensive exchanges with Russia

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Putin signs law on taxation of digital currencies

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No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

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Syrian forces begin counteroffensive near Aleppo — TV

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Iran informs IAEA of plans to install more uranium enrichment units — report

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Russia's opponents see Finland as springboard in case of open conflict — politician

Leonid Slutsky noted that the current and previous leadership of Finland has been and remains engaged "on the lower turn of the sine wave, which is now marked by a sharp cooling of bilateral relations"

Presidential aide blames West for attempts to harm Russia at sea

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