In the temporarily occupied part of Ukraine’s Kherson region, Russian forces and the occupation administration are creating conditions for the spread of anthrax. Infected animals are being buried in violation of sanitary regulations near populated areas and groundwater sources.
This was reported by Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defence.
According to HUR, the occupiers are transporting livestock carcasses infected with anthrax to local animal burial sites in the Kherson region. There are up to 50 such sites in the region. Intelligence officials say that around ten of them pose the greatest threat, including burial grounds located near Askania-Nova, Skadovsk and Zaliznyi Port.
“Animal carcasses are not burned but simply buried. Many of these sites are in an extremely neglected condition near roads and populated areas, with some located less than one kilometre from residential buildings,” the statement said.
HUR also reported that the burial sites lack proper fencing and protective infrastructure and are not being maintained. Some of them are located in areas with high groundwater levels, increasing the risk of anthrax spreading.
The intelligence agency does not rule out the possibility that Russia could use the burial sites to stage a provocation and later accuse Ukraine of allegedly developing or using “biological weapons”.
