Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry said that there were about 30 biolaboratories on the territory of Ukraine, fulfilling orders from the US Department of Defense.
Biolaboratories in Ukraine pose a danger not only to Russia but to the whole of Europe, Aleksey Polishchuk, the head of the Russian foreign ministry’s second CIS department, told Sputnik.
“As for biolaboratories on Ukraine’s territory, they pose a danger not only to Russia but to the whole of Europe. Conducting Russia’s special operation in Ukraine is aimed, among other things, at stopping this threat,” Polishchuk said.
Purpose of Russia’s operation in Ukraine is, among other things, to stop the threat posed by biolaboratories, Aleksey Polishchuk added.
The Russian diplomat added that Moscow was forced to recognise the Donbass republics’ independence, but the decision on their possible return to Ukraine is up to LPR and DPR residents.
“Now, the situation has changed radically. Russia was forced to recognize the sovereignty of the DPR and LPR. Treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance were signed, and at the request of the republics, a special military operation aimed at protecting the population of Donbas, denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine was launched,” Polishchuk said, noting that “the question of whether the return Donetsk and Luhansk to Ukraine is possible is better addressed to the residents of these republics.”
The diplomat noted that for seven and a half years, Russia had been seeking the implementation by Kiev of the Minsk agreements, aimed at the civilized return of Donbass to Ukraine on the terms of a special status and respect for the rights and interests of citizens, adding that back then, Donetsk and Luhansk agreed to this. But, during this time, Kiev did everything to prevent the residents of Donbass from returning, keeping the region in an economic, transport and financial blockade, he said.
As part of the special operation launched in Ukraine on 24 February, the Russian armed forces had found 30 biological laboratories in Ukraine, which were fulfilling orders from the US Department of Defense and possibly involved in biological weapons production.
Last week, the Russian defence ministry unveiled new findings after analysing documents obtained from experts from Ukrainian biolaboratories. According to the information, Washington spent over $200 million to study pathogens of birds, bats and reptiles in Ukraine and possibility of transmission of African swine fever and anthrax through these animal.
Russia started a special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February in response to calls from the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics for protection against intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops. The Russian Defence Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger. Moscow has repeatedly said it has no plans to occupy Ukraine. Western nations have imposed numerous sanctions on Russia.