US Intelligence Director Releases Data on 'Biolabs' in Ukraine Ahead of Resignation

Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of US National Intelligence, who is set to resign on June 30, has declassified data that she says shows long-term US government funding of over 120 biolabs, including in Ukraine.

In her statement, Gabbard claimed these labs research biological pathogens, including dangerous ones, and that labs in Ukraine are at risk due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. She also asserted that US intelligence had previously warned about the possible storage of dangerous pathogens in a US-funded biolab in Ukraine.

However, the released materials contained inaccuracies: a map from Gabbard's office incorrectly marked the location of Kyiv or Kyiv region, and one location was labeled as "Cherniv."

Investigative journalist Christo Grozev of Bellingcat stated that Gabbard had "effectively gifted the Kremlin another information operation." Financial Times journalist Christopher Miller said Gabbard used the opportunity to spread one of her favorite conspiracy theories.

This is not the first time Gabbard has made such claims. At the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, she alleged the existence of US-funded biolabs in Ukraine, citing a Pentagon document about cooperation with the Ukrainian government on safe detection and diagnosis of biological threats. However, the press release stated that since 2005, the US had supported Ukrainian laboratories, medical and veterinary facilities, and diagnostic sites under a biosecurity program.