A heavily guarded laboratory complex on an isolated Russian island may be conducting research linked to biological weapons, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) has revealed to Kyiv Post. The facility, located on Lisiy Island in Russia’s Tver region, officially operates as a civilian “Centre for Experimental Physiology.” However, according to HUR, the complex works in the interests of Russia’s Ministry of Defense and is equipped to handle highly dangerous pathogens and chemical substances.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The site was originally built in 1938 and fell into disrepair after the collapse of the Soviet Union. But in 2022, on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s orders, the old buildings were demolished and replaced with modern, highly protected laboratories, HUR said. The complex is now guarded by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the Federal Protective Service (FSO) and a military garrison, while air defense systems and electronic warfare equipment have reportedly been deployed around it. The waters surrounding the island have also been closed to the public since 2023. In an exclusive interview with Kyiv Post, a representative of Ukraine’s military intelligence explained what is known about the facility, the pathogens that may be handled there, and the potential consequences of an accident. The intelligence official also addressed whether a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak among cattle in Russia in the spring of 2026 could have been connected to Russian laboratory activity.