A large new complex that has been seen in satellite photos appears to have the characteristics of a high-security biological research facility, according to experts.

A potentially concerning advancement in biological research capacity is indicated by Russia’s establishment of a closed biological laboratory close to Moscow, which has been seen on satellite photography during its invasion of Ukraine.

In the midst of rising international tensions, the military-affiliated site’s development and recent remarks by Russian defence officials about strengthening responses to biological threats have caused former US defence officials to see it as a potential strategic warning signal from Moscow.

Former top Pentagon nonproliferation specialist Andrew Weber, who looked into Soviet biological weapons installations in the 1990s, thinks Moscow is alerting its enemies to potential use:

Putin publicly displays nuclear weapons in the media. However, Russia never acknowledges the existence of biological weapons, therefore discussing these facilities is the only way to make a statement about it. “Hey, we have this capacity,” is the subliminal clue. Additionally, don’t assume that we won’t utilise it,” Weber told the Washington Post.