Ukraine Intel Reveals Russia’s Secret Island Biolab

A heavily guarded laboratory complex on an isolated Russian island may be conducting research linked to biological weapons, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) has revealed to Kyiv Post.

The facility, located on Lisiy Island in Russia’s Tver region, officially operates as a civilian “Centre for Experimental Physiology.” However, according to HUR, the complex works in the interests of Russia’s Ministry of Defense and is equipped to handle highly dangerous pathogens and chemical substances.

The site was originally built in 1938 and fell into disrepair after the collapse of the Soviet Union. But in 2022, on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s orders, the old buildings were demolished and replaced with modern, highly protected laboratories, HUR said.

The complex is now guarded by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the Federal Protective Service (FSO) and a military garrison, while air defense systems and electronic warfare equipment have reportedly been deployed around it. The waters surrounding the island have also been closed to the public since 2023.

In an exclusive interview with Kyiv Post, a representative of Ukraine’s military intelligence explained what is known about the facility, the pathogens that may be handled there, and the potential consequences of an accident.

The intelligence official also addressed whether a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak among cattle in Russia in the spring of 2026 could have been connected to Russian laboratory activity.

Kyiv Post (KP): Recently, the Military Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) reported the existence of a Russian military biological laboratory complex on Lisiy Island in the Tver region. What exactly has Ukrainian intelligence managed to establish about this facility?

Andriy Cherniyak (HUR representative): We know that the biological laboratory complex on the island operates in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It was built back in 1938. At that time, at least officially, animal diseases were studied at the facility.

After the collapse of the USSR, the complex gradually fell into disrepair. The buildings on the island were deteriorating, and there were no signs of repair work being carried out.

However, in 2022, on Putin’s orders, Russia began a large-scale reconstruction of the complex – the old buildings were demolished, and new modern laboratories were built in their place. The new buildings were constructed with enhanced protection for work with biological samples and chemical substances.

At the same time, the facility was designated as important for “ensuring Russia’s defense capability and security.” Officially, the facility is called the “Centre for Experimental Physiology” and has a civilian purpose.

What is known about what really happens there?

From the very beginning of this facility’s operation, foreign intelligence services had many “questions” about it. As early as the 1950s and 1960s, the CIA identified it in its reports as a possible biological weapons development center.

Moreover, its location is also noteworthy – on a separate island, inaccessible to “prying eyes.” Agricultural facilities, even those working with disease pathogens, are not usually built in this way.

The Kremlin did not come up with anything new and built the new complex on the site of the old one, because its location is advantageous in terms of secrecy and access control.

Although the facility is officially subordinate to Russia’s Federal Medical-Biological Agency, it actually operates in the interests of the Ministry of Defense, and responsibility for its protection has been assigned personally to the minister.

The restoration of the facility coincided with the expansion of another complex involved in the development of biological weapons. This is the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense near Moscow.

Their reconstruction began almost simultaneously – funding was allocated under the same program. In other words, already at this stage, it becomes clear that the complexes are connected.

What specific research is being conducted on the facility’s territory? Does it involve work with specific viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens?

Officially, the facility studies diseases of domestic animals – brucellosis, tuberculosis, and other bacterial and viral diseases.

However, in May, the Federal Medical-Biological Agency began looking for a laboratory assistant to work on the island, whose duties explicitly included working with pathogenic biological agents of Groups I–IV.

According to the Russian classification, Group I includes agents that cause particularly dangerous and fatal infections that are easily and rapidly transmitted from person to person.

Incidentally, again according to the Russian classification, there are no means of prevention or therapy for such diseases.

The Russians classify the pathogens that cause plague, Ebola, smallpox, anthrax, and other dangerous diseases as belonging to these groups. So why look for such a specialist for a laboratory that supposedly studies animal diseases?

It is known that the waters around the island have been closed since 2023. What prompted the introduction of such a regime, and is it directly related to the laboratories’ activities?

Yes, this is directly related to the laboratory’s activities. The Kremlin does not want anyone to get there and document what is happening.

Is there any information about which specific Russian agencies or units are involved in guarding the facility?

The facility is guarded at the highest level. Its security is provided by units of the Federal Security Service and the Federal Protective Service, an entire military garrison, as well as anti-aircraft systems and electronic warfare equipment.

To what extent does this activity comply with Russia’s international obligations regarding the prohibition of biological weapons?

It does not comply at all. The USSR signed the relevant Convention back in 1972, but this did not prevent the Soviet leadership from continuing to develop biological weapons. Russia, as the legal successor to the USSR, ratified this agreement. Moreover, it is among the states that serve as guarantors of this Convention.

However, neither the communist Kremlin nor the current clan-based oligarchic regime intended to comply with international agreements.

HUR mentions an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle in Russia in the spring of 2026. Does intelligence have data that would make it possible to link this outbreak to the activities of Russian laboratories, or is this currently only one of the possible theories?

Such a theory exists, because the Russians need to conduct “field” tests of their weapons from time to time. Recall how efforts to combat the epidemics were carried out. People were told nothing, and livestock were forcibly seized and burned – all of them without exception, both sick and healthy.

What could the consequences of a possible accident at such a facility look like for the population of the Tver region and neighboring regions?

It would be a federal-level catastrophe. If aggressive chemical substances enter the water, this will lead to the destruction of the entire local ecosystem. The contamination will then spread through rivers. Hundreds of thousands of people could lose access to drinking water.

If pathogenic microorganisms enter the water, the worst-case scenario should be considered. Moscow is unlikely to warn the population about the accident.