Soviet Bio Accident Exposed – CIA, DIA & Military Docs (1979)

Description

Sverdlovsk Anthrax Outbreak: A Declassified Timeline

1970s:

• Undated (1970s): U.S. intelligence analysts become suspicious of the Institute of Microbiology and Virology in Sverdlovsk due to satellite observations showing features similar to a U.S. offensive biological and toxin warfare facility (tall incinerator stacks, large cold storage, animal pens, sentries, double barbed-wire fences).

1979:

• April 2, 1979 (13:30 – 16:00): An accidental release of anthrax spores occurs at military compound known as Compound 19 in Sverdlovsk.
• April – May 1979: Anthrax outbreak causes 96 reported human cases in Sverdlovsk. All cases occur within 4 kilometers downwind from the Soviet military microbiology facility.
• May 1979 (late) / June 1979 (early): Soviet Union reportedly brings the anthrax outbreak under control.
• October 15, 1979: CIA report notes rumors of a biological warfare accident in Sverdlovsk, involving 40-60 deaths in May 1979.
• November 9, 1979: DIA report titled “Biological Accident Rumored” summarizes beliefs about the reported accident within the Defense Intelligence Agency.

1980:

• Early 1980: Reports of the Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak begin to surface in Western news.
• January 16, 1980: CIA report notes that Soviet Defense Minister Ustinov and Health Minister Petrovskiy came to Sverdlovsk, likely to oversee decontamination efforts.
• January 28, 1980: CIA report states that new intelligence strengthens allegations that a biological warfare installation accident caused civilian casualties in southern Sverdlovsk in April 1979.
• Undated (1980): A DIA memo indicates the U.S. intelligence community increasingly believes the Sverdlovsk deaths are linked to an anthrax release from a Soviet biological warfare facility, citing compelling circumstantial evidence such as the use of military forces for control and concealment of the disease’s nature.
• March 1980: DIA report documents the Soviet medical response, casualties, and decontamination efforts.
• March 1980: State Department report outlines the U.S. position on the information provided by the Soviets regarding the Sverdlovsk Incident.
• Undated (1980): Soviet medical, veterinary, and legal journals describe the outbreak as naturally occurring in livestock.

1983:

• Undated (1983): A State Department memorandum discusses legal issues associated with formally charging the Soviet Union with violating the Biological Weapons Convention.

1990:

• August 22, 1990: The Russian weekly paper, Literaturnaya Gazeta, publishes an article concluding that the April 1979 anthrax outbreak in Sverdlovsk was due to an accident at “Garrison 19,” a secret Soviet military biological warfare facility, and alleges ongoing military cover-up attempts.

1992:

• Undated (1992): Boris Yeltsin, then-president of Russia, admits that the Sverdlovsk outbreak was caused by an accidental release of anthrax spores from the biological facility due to improperly installed air filters.
• Undated (1992): The monograph “The War Next Time Countering Rogue States and Terrorists Armed with Chemical and Biological Weapons” (USAF Counterproliferation Center) includes information about the Sverdlovsk Incident.

2002:

• Undated (2002): “Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare” (Medical Department of the Army) is produced, including coverage of Sverdlovsk.

Cast of Characters

• Boris Yeltsin: Then-president of Russia. In 1992, he publicly admitted that the Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak was caused by an accident at a Soviet biological facility, specifically citing improperly installed air filters.
• Defense Minister Ustinov: Soviet Defense Minister. He reportedly traveled to Sverdlovsk in late May/early June 1979, likely to oversee decontamination efforts related to the anthrax outbreak.
• Health Minister Petrovskiy: Soviet Health Minister. He reportedly traveled to Sverdlovsk in late May/early June 1979, likely to oversee decontamination efforts related to the anthrax outbreak.