The discovery of anthrax in a Russian trench line in southern Ukraine has raised concerns about the potential use of biological weapons in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. While it was reported that the soldiers had contracted the bacterial infection from an unearthed burial site for cattle, the history of anthrax as a biological weapon cannot be ignored. The use of anthrax as a bioweapon has a long and troubling history, with multiple countries experimenting with it during times of war.
The discovery of anthrax in the current conflict highlights the continued need for vigilance and action against using biological weapons. The conditions in parts of Ukraine resemble those of the First World War, with both sides digging trench lines and artillery duels becoming increasingly common. Reports circulated that anthrax had been discovered in a Russian trench line, and several soldiers were infected. However, it is not a case of biological or chemical warfare.
According to The Telegraph, the soldiers had uncovered a burial site for cattle while digging a defensive line in southern Ukraine in the Kherson Oblast. The unit was immediately ordered to quarantine, while two soldiers were admitted to a hospital in the occupied city of Melitopol. Anthrax is a bacterial infection that can be spread via infected animal carcasses and food.
The article explains that anthrax was endemic across much of the Soviet Union in the 20th century, especially in Ukraine, due to the intense cattle farming conducted in the region. Over 10,000 cases were registered in humans at the beginning of the 20th century, but the number decreased due to improved health standards.
Anthrax has a long history as a potential biological weapon. It is thought to have originated in Egypt and Mesopotamia and is believed to have caused the fifth of the ten plagues during the ten plagues of Egypt. There have been suggestions that anthrax may have contributed to the fall of Rome in the 5th century.
The article explains that military planners have considered how anthrax could be weaponized since the early 20th century. The German Army probably utilized anthrax to infiltrate cattle and animal feed traded by neutral countries like Argentina to the countries. In the 1930s, Japan considered using anthrax as a biological weapon. Anthrax was disseminated among Japanese-occupied Manchuria’s POWs. As part of the program, Japan was eventually revealed to have launched anthrax and other biological weapon strikes on at least 11 Chinese cities.
During WWII, the United States and the United Kingdom performed anthrax and other bioweapons research; the British military even devised the cleverly named “Operation Vegetarian.” Anthrax-infected linseed cakes were to be distributed throughout the German countryside. The article notes that a secret lab was set up in Britain to mass-produce anthrax for another operation where spores would be dropped directly over German cities.
The British eventually realized the devastating impact such a biological attack could have on the German people and the environment. In 1944, approximately 70 billion anthrax doses were produced to kill the world 30 times over. Gruinard Island was used for testing purposes, and it was not until the 1990s that the island was adequately decontaminated. After the war, it was discovered that anthrax could remain in the environment for a considerable period after its release.
The discovery of anthrax in a Russian trench line in southern Ukraine serves as a reminder of the dangers of biological warfare. While it was reported that the soldiers had contracted the bacterial infection from an unearthed burial site for cattle, the history of anthrax as a biological weapon cannot be ignored. The use of biological weapons has been outlawed by international law, yet the continued experimentation and use of these weapons persists. The discovery of anthrax in the current conflict highlights the need for continued vigilance and action to prevent the use of biological weapons in future conflicts.
