Monkeypox: why has Russia asked WHO to probe 'US biolabs in Nigeria'

The Russian Defence Ministry on Friday called on the World Health Organization to investigate the activity of US-funded biolabs in Nigeria amid the growing monkeypox outbreak.

The chief of Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force, Igor Kirillov, claimed Washington controlled at least four laboratories in Nigeria.

"Amid numerous cases of US violations of biosecurity requirements and facts of careless storage of pathogenic biomaterials, we call on the WHO leadership to investigate the activities of US-funded Nigerian laboratories," he added.

Monkeypox is endemic in Nigeria, but cases have been detected in non-endemic nations in North America and Europe in recent weeks.

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The Defence Ministry also shared footage of heavy artillery in action during Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.

The Malka self-propelled howitzers were used to eliminate protected command posts, mortars, armoured vehicles and manpower of the enemy, the ministry reported.