MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Components of biological weapons were developed in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

"A network of dozens of laboratories operated in Ukraine, where military biological programs, including experiments with samples of coronavirus, anthrax, cholera, African swine fever and other deadly diseases, were carried out under the supervision and financial support of the Pentagon," he said.

Putin said that "they are now strenuously trying to cover up the evidence of these secret programs."

"However, we have every reason to believe that components of biological weapons were actually created on Ukrainian territory, so close to Russia," the president said.

Putin recalled that Moscow’s multiple warnings that such a scenario posed an immediate threat to Russia’s security were rebuffed by Ukraine, the US and NATO, "what is more, with ostentatious and cynical defiance.".