MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. A number of biological research programs is being urgently curtailed in Ukraine, the chief of Russia’s radiation, chemical and biological protection force, Igor Kirillov, told a news briefing on Monday.
"The office of the radiation, chemical and biological protection force’s chief keeps a close watch on the biological situation on the Ukrainian territory. According to our sources, a number of biological programs are being curtailed urgently," he said.
Kirillov stressed that analysis of the available documents indicated that the Ukrainian Health Ministry had issued orders all bioagents at its laboratories should be eliminated starting from February 24.
"The analysis of instructions issued to laboratory officials indicates that the collections should be eliminated totally and irreversibly," he said. "Apparently, everything necessary for continuing the military-biological program has been already taken out of Ukraine."
Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 launched a special military operation in Ukraine following a request for assistance from the leaders of the Donbass republics. He said Moscow had no plans for an occupation of Ukrainian territories. The sole purpose is the country’s demilitarization and denazification.