Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova spoke of Moscow's fears about US activities in the post-Soviet space and demanded a response from Washington on military-biological activity.

Asked if any former Soviet Union was known for its biological work, Zakharova said they had repeatedly focused on the Lugar Center in Georgia.

"Russian officials, including the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defence, public figures, as well as Georgian experts and civil society representatives, have repeatedly indicated that the Lugar Center's activities raise serious questions about US compliance with its obligations under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention," Zakharova said.

According to her, on the basis of this bio-facility, researches are being conducted using insects as particularly dangerous biological agents and spreaders of infections.

"For obvious reasons, the United States prefers silence on the work done in the post-Soviet space and does not provide information to increase confidence. The statements that the activities of the Pentagon and related structures are particularly focused on health issues are untrue. Clearly, health cooperation does not require the involvement of the US military. Moreover, the repeated explanations by the United States that they collect biomaterials and monitor epidemiologial development only reinforces our concern in the context of compliance with the Convention, including considering the cases found in Ukraine. For its part, Russia's activities in the medical-biological field are only peaceful and fully comply with its obligations under the Convention," Zakharova said.

source: IPN