In a dramatic departure from years of official denials, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has released declassified documents confirming the existence and funding of dozens of biological laboratories in Ukraine conducting research on dangerous pathogens. The June 12, 2026 disclosure represents a significant shift in transparency regarding what officials now acknowledge as a global network of US-funded biological research facilities.
The Declassified Evidence
The newly released documents reveal that the United States “built and supported” 40 biolabs in Ukraine, which conducted research on “especially dangerous pathogens” including anthrax, avian flu, Ebola, plague, and tuberculosis. According to the intelligence materials, at least 12 of these laboratories were engaged in human research, while some facilities conducted controversial “gain of function” research—a practice that modifies animal viruses to increase their virulence and transmissibility for studying their effects on humans.
The partially-redacted documents indicate the US funded construction and equipment for at least four laboratories at a total cost exceeding $9 million. Research partnerships extended across multiple agencies including the US Department of Agriculture, the US Army, the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and various American universities. Notably, Metabiota—a biotech company with partial ownership by Hunter Biden’s investment firm—appears as a listed partner.
Historical Context and Russian Claims
The revelations validate longstanding Russian assertions about US biological activities near its borders. In February 2022, as Russian forces entered Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed the Ukrainian government ordered “emergency destruction” of pathogens at multiple US-funded laboratories. Russian officials accused Kiev of attempting to conceal participation in an American biological weapons program.
Documents previously released by Russia’s Defense Ministry included a Ukrainian Ministry of Health order to destroy pathogens encompassing “plague, anthrax, tularemia, cholera and other deadly diseases.” Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov of the Russian Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Forces concluded in 2023 that “the US, under the guise of ensuring global biosecurity, conducted dual-use research, including the creation of biological weapons components, in close proximity to Russian borders.” Kirillov led Russia’s investigation until his 2024 assassination, allegedly by Ukrainian intelligence services.
Among the facilities identified was the Institute of Veterinary Medicine in Kharkov, where Russian military alleged basement-level biological weapons research. Gabbard’s documents confirm the facility contained a basement level storing anthrax and brucella bacteria—both considered potential bioweapons due to their extreme infectivity and capacity to cause debilitating illness.
Previous Denials and Shifting Narratives
The declassification marks a stark reversal from previous US government positions. In March 2022, then-Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland acknowledged the laboratories’ existence during Senate testimony, expressing concern about research materials potentially falling into Russian hands. However, officials consistently denied any biological weapons development while maintaining the facilities served public health purposes.
The US Embassy in Kiev had publicly listed these Ukrainian-owned threat reduction laboratories, with academics from these facilities regularly attending international scientific conferences to publicize their work. The 2005 agreement between Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and the US Department of Defense ostensibly aimed to prevent the spread of technologies and pathogens that might enable biological weapons development.
Broader Global Network Revealed
Gabbard’s disclosure extends beyond Ukraine, revealing US funding for over 120 biolabs across more than 30 countries. The Director of National Intelligence stated that “evidence regarding the full existence and funding of these laboratories had been knowingly withheld from the American people,” adding that “information surrounding the existence, history, locations and funding of these US funded biolabs has been intentionally covered up by powerful people falsely claiming that they do not exist.”
The intelligence chief characterized previous denials as deliberate deception, noting that officials had accused those questioning the laboratories’ existence of being “foreign assets and traitors to America.” This represents a significant admission regarding the scope of information concealment from public view.
Political and Scientific Implications
The timing of Gabbard’s revelations, announced ahead of her resignation effective June 30, has drawn criticism from multiple quarters. Investigative journalist Christo Grozev characterized the disclosure as presenting “the Kremlin with yet one more information operation,” while Financial Times journalist Christopher Miller suggested Gabbard was perpetuating “one of her and Russia’s favourite conspiracy theories.”
The documents reference President Trump’s Executive Order 14292, signed May 25, 2025, ending federal funding for gain-of-function research worldwide. Gabbard emphasized Trump’s understanding of “the serious threat dangerous Gain-of-Function research poses to the American people,” positioning the disclosure within current political frameworks addressing biological research oversight.
Ongoing Questions and Future Oversight
The declassification raises fundamental questions about biological research transparency and oversight. Gabbard has issued new guidance directing increased intelligence collection on overseas laboratories and facilities, which is reportedly providing additional details about ongoing clinical trials and raising “significant ethical, financial, and security concerns.”
The revelation that many facilities engaged in research using “hazardous and highly contagious pathogens” with “very little visibility or oversight” suggests systemic gaps in biological research governance. The acknowledgment of previous deception regarding these programs may prompt broader Congressional investigation into biological research funding and oversight mechanisms.
This article draws on reporting from RT, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Ukrainska Pravda, and NPR.
