Former CIA Officer Questions Russia's Account of Researcher's Death
Glenn Corn, a former CIA officer with over 20 years of experience in U.S. intelligence, has raised concerns regarding the Russian government's account of the death of a 28-year-old researcher at a facility known for handling dangerous pathogens. The researcher, Darya Shipilova, reportedly fell ill in late September and died on October 2. While initial reports suggested she succumbed to pneumonic plague, Russian authorities later stated she died from "pneumonia of unknown etiology," asserting that tests showed no evidence of infection from pathogens associated with her lab.
Corn argues that Russia's long-standing history of deception makes it difficult to trust the Kremlin's narrative. He cites past instances of misinformation, including the 1979 anthrax outbreak in Sverdlovsk, where the Soviet Union initially claimed the deaths were due to tainted meat, only to later admit the truth after years of denial. This pattern of deceit, according to Corn, continues under President Vladimir Putin's administration.
The former CIA officer emphasizes the need for skepticism regarding Moscow's claims, suggesting that U.S. officials should independently verify the information surrounding Shipilova's death and monitor for any signs of a potential outbreak. He notes that so far, there have been no indications that her illness has spread, with Russian health authorities reporting that a significant percentage of those quarantined have been released.
Cleared for Release
Corn also draws parallels between Russia's narrative control and similar tactics employed by China, particularly during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, where critical information was withheld. He argues that in both countries, individuals are discouraged from revealing the truth due to fears of repercussions.
As the situation develops, the World Health Organization has stated that the risk of a wider outbreak remains low, and they are in contact with Russian health authorities to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding Shipilova's death. Corn's insights serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges in assessing information from governments with histories of misinformation.
