DNI Tulsi Gabbard Releases Declassified Information on 120 US-Funded Biolabs Across 30+ Countries

DNI Tulsi Gabbard, in her final weeks leading the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, released partially redacted declassified documents detailing U.S. funding for over 120 biolabs in more than 30 countries, with particular focus on Ukraine, where more than 40 facilities are identified. The documents allege that many labs conducted research on hazardous pathogens—including anthrax, Ebola, SARS, MERS, tuberculosis, and plague—with some engaging in gain-of-function research under limited oversight. A declassified map of Ukraine shows the locations and biosafety levels of these facilities, with one site near Odesa flagged as biological weapons storage. Gabbard accused the Biden administration and figures like Dr. Fauci of deliberately concealing the labs' existence, though experts cited in reporting—including former U.S. arms control officials—disputed that the labs were secret or conducted illicit work, characterizing them as part of a long-standing, publicly known cooperative threat reduction program to secure Soviet-era biological materials. The documents note that some Ukrainian facilities remain vulnerable to Russian attack, seizure, or damage due to the ongoing war, and that Russia has used the labs in information operations alleging U.S. biological weapons activity. ODNI also said its expanded intelligence collection is surfacing concerns about clinical trials at some sites. The release comes one day after Sen. Rand Paul shared documents alleging Fauci used intelligence community ties to influence COVID-19 origins debates, and amid a politically contentious ODNI leadership transition as Jay Clayton awaits a Senate confirmation hearing.