Russian Plague Researcher Death Raises Bioweapon Concerns

The Atlantic Council reports that the death of a Russian plague researcher may be linked to Moscow's attempts to revive biological weapons testing, citing the country's Soviet-era history of such programs. The think tank urges an independent investigation into the death of 28-year-old Darya Shipilova. The Soviet Union ran an extensive biological weapons program from the 1920s, prioritizing plague as a key agent. The Council notes Russia has already used chemical weapons locally in its war against Ukraine, and US intelligence assessments indicate Russian scientists continue developing new chemical and biological agents. Russian media offered conflicting accounts of Shipilova's death, initially citing plague before revising to "possibly" plague, then suggesting a broken test tube or pneumonia. At least 200 contacts were quarantined, and the US is reportedly checking flights from Siberia.