Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has accused Russian forces of creating what it describes as long-term biological hazards by burying anthrax-infected cattle carcasses across occupied territory, particularly in the Kherson region.
In the account presented by the ministry, the issue is concentrated in Kherson, where it says there are around fifty livestock burial grounds, with roughly ten considered especially dangerous. It claims some sites are located close to populated areas and critical water sources, including areas near Askania-Nova, Skadovsk and Zalizny Port.
Kyiv alleges that Russian forces are not following basic safety practices for handling infected animals. Instead of burning the carcasses, it says they are being buried—often at poorly maintained locations near roads and villages. The ministry also says many of these sites lack fencing or protective barriers, and that over time the ground above the graves sinks, while occupying authorities do not carry out maintenance to keep the sites safe. It further warns that some burial grounds sit in areas with high groundwater levels, which could help anthrax survive and spread.
The ministry frames the conduct as either deliberate or negligent creation of conditions for an outbreak, calling it an act it associates with biological terrorism risk against civilians in occupied territories. It also argues that anthrax spores can remain viable for extremely long periods—long after the conflict ends.
The article links these allegations to earlier claims by Ukraine that Russia has used chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces and says Russia could also attempt a “false-flag” narrative, including blaming Ukraine for biological-weapon activity.
Russia has not commented on the allegations yet.
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