The Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, declared that a multi-month search of Intelligence Community archives revealed data on long-term U.S. government funding of over 120 biological laboratories across more than 30 countries, including Ukraine. According to the intelligence chief, some of these facilities were directly funded by U.S. taxpayers, and the true scope and geographic distribution of the program had been deliberately concealed from the public and lawmakers for years.
According to the disclosed documents, at least one laboratory in Ukraine that allegedly received U.S. funding stored dangerous pathogens and remained vulnerable to seizure, damage, or attack due to the ongoing war. However, the documents lack concrete details regarding the exact nature of the research conducted or the specific locations of these facilities. Gabbard emphasized that several laboratories conducted or continue to conduct research involving dangerous and highly contagious pathogens, including what her office describes as “Gain-of-Function” research. She also accused Dr. Anthony Fauci and certain members of the Biden administration of lying to the American people about the existence of these laboratories.
For international analysts, Gabbard’s statements echo long-standing Russian propaganda narratives about “U.S.-run biolabs in Ukraine.” Before her appointment as DNI, Gabbard frequently repeated these Kremlin-backed claims, blamed the U.S. for “provoking” Russia’s invasion, and criticized American aid to Kyiv. Such rhetoric aligns closely with Moscow’s hybrid warfare strategies, which routinely employ disinformation to justify military aggression and undermine Western unity. U.S. and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly debunked these claims, clarifying that cooperative biological programs were strictly peaceful and aimed at enhancing biosafety and preventing disease outbreaks.
Gabbard’s high-profile announcement comes as she prepares to step down. In late May 2026, she announced her resignation, citing her husband’s illness, with her final day in office set for June 30. Experts suggest that these parting allegations may represent an attempt to cement her legacy among isolationist factions in Washington before her departure. Nevertheless, the timing of these revelations continues to fuel debate over the politicization of intelligence and the resilience of Western democratic institutions against sophisticated disinformation campaigns.