Ukraine sees no plague threat from Russia but monitors situation closely

Ukraine sees no current threat from a possible plague outbreak in Russia, though its health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi. Tykhyi noted that Ukraine's visa regime with Russia and the absence of passenger traffic reduce infection risks. He criticized Moscow's handling of the situation, saying the Russian regime repeats Soviet-era patterns of failing to ensure basic safety. The concern follows the October 2 death of a laboratory worker in Irkutsk from suspected pneumonic plague, with nearly 200 contacts quarantined. Russian authorities deny plague as the cause, citing pneumonia of unknown origin, while the WHO has requested detailed information.