Russia is creating risk of anthrax outbreak in occupied Kherson, committing ‘biological terrorism’, says Ukraine | Today’s news
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Service (DIU) has accused Russian forces of committing “biological terrorism” by allegedly creating the conditions for an anthrax outbreak in the Russian-occupied Kherson region by improperly disposing of infected dead animals near civilian areas.
In its statement, the DIU claimed that the Russian occupation authorities transported the anthrax-infected animal carcasses to a burial ground through occupied Kherson, where they are buried without following internationally recognized hygiene standards.
According to the agency, there are up to 50 cattle burial sites in the occupied part of the region, with about 10 considered particularly dangerous, including sites near Askania-Nova, Skadovsk and Zaliznyi Port.
The funerals are said to violate safety standards
A Ukrainian news agency said the infected animals should have been burned to prevent the spread of disease, but claimed Russian authorities had instead buried the corpses in neglected burial grounds, many located less than a kilometer from roads and residential settlements.
It also claimed that the sites lack fencing and other protective infrastructure, while authorities have failed to maintain them despite the gradual subsidence of soil covering the graves.
The DIU warned that several cemeteries are located in areas with high groundwater levels, increasing the risk of contamination. Anthrax spores can survive in soil for decades — and in some cases more than a century — he added.
Endangering civilians and agriculture
The agency said the alleged mishandling of infected livestock poses a direct threat to civilians living in the occupied territories and could seriously affect the Kherson region’s agricultural sector by contaminating the soil and infecting healthy animals.
Ukraine called the alleged actions “biological terrorism” against civilians and accused Russia of either intentionally or negligently creating the conditions for a potential anthrax outbreak.
Warning of a possible “false flag” operation.
The DIU also said it could not rule out the possibility that Russia could use the contaminated burial sites as part of a future false flag operation.
According to the agency, such a scenario could involve a military strike on an anthrax burial site followed by an information campaign accusing Ukraine of developing or using biological weapons.
The claims have not been independently verified.
