Russia’s Ministry of Defense has reiterated claims that the US carried out biological research in Ukraine, stating it has obtained additional wartime documents it says point to military-linked studies. At a briefing on Friday, Lt. Gen. Alexei Rtishchev, head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops, said the documents suggest research on dangerous pathogens is focused on military use rather than public health, according to Russian state media TASS.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. He linked the work to a 2005 cooperation agreement between Ukraine and the US and argued the programs were coordinated through US defense structures. Rtishchev also claimed that Ukrainian labs stored large amounts of pathogens such as cholera, tularemia, and brucellosis. He said some research was done in secret and with limited access for Ukrainian staff. Russia claims its findings prove Ukraine broke the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. What preceded the latest claims? The Russian statements came shortly after a June 12 disclosure by outgoing US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, who released information referencing US-funded biological research facilities abroad. Her office said the US has supported more than 120 biological laboratories in over 30 countries, including Ukraine, and warned that facilities handling dangerous pathogens could face risks during the ongoing war.“These biolabs include labs in Ukraine, which may be at risk of compromise due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. For example, the Intelligence Community previously warned that a US-funded biolab in Ukraine likely housed dangerous pathogens and remained vulnerable to longstanding threats of Russian attack, seizure, or damage,” the statement reads.