What lies behind Russian allegations of biological weapons labs in Ukraine?

Dr Patricia Lewis, director of the International Security programme at Chatham House, explores the question of both biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Explainer Video Updated 24 March 2022 2 minute watch

What lies behind Russian allegations of biological weapons labs in Ukraine?

— Dr Patricia Lewis, director of the International Security programme at Chatham House, explores the question of both biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine.

Russia is part of the United Nations (UN) Biological Weapons Convention but there is no verification regime to ensure Russia adheres to it, and the confidence-building measures built into the Convention are weak.

When it comes to chemical weapons, Russia destroyed its verified stocks in 2017 and the arms control regime for these weapons is stronger.

However, the United States and others have said they fear Moscow could use chemical weapons in the current conflict.