In Russia, it has been alleged that tests on chemical warfare agents are being conducted through a pharmaceutical company based in St. Petersburg. The allegations are based on the fact that the structure, which appears as a company, operates at the same address as the military medical unit affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Former employee Nadezhda Zavyalova stated that she worked as a junior research associate between 2012 and 2014 and was told that antidotes against chemical attacks were being developed. Zavyalova claimed that experiments were conducted on animals in the laboratory, military personnel brought new substances in "secret" bags, and the results were altered to produce polished reports.
Highlights
- The allegations point to a company called IFK Silver Pharm in St. Petersburg.
- The company is said to share the same address with the military medical research institute affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
- The former employee described that military-connected individuals worked in the laboratory.
- Zavyalova alleged irregularities in animal experiments and the reporting of results.
- The text also mentions names associated with Novichok and the GRU's unit 29155.
Same address, different appearing structure
The address given for the company, 4 Lesoparkovaya Street, is reported to be the same as the State Military Medical Research Test Institute affiliated with the Ministry of Defense. It is noted that Sergei Chepur, known as an expert on anticholinergic poisons, heads this institute.
The text also states that Chepur previously consulted poisoners from the GRU's military unit 29155. This unit is linked to the Novichok attacks on Sergei Skripal and Emilian Gebrev.
Order described in the laboratory
Zavyalova said that when she started, she thought she was working at a pharmaceutical company, but soon realized she was in a military environment. She said she was initially offered a secretarial position but was hired as a junior research associate after her veterinary background was discovered.
The first interview was reportedly held not in an office but directly at the facility on 4 Lesoparkovaya Street. According to Zavyalova, she was greeted by Mikhail Yudin and shown the laboratory rooms on the second floor.
The laboratory was described as having equipment, chromatographs, and areas where drugs were applied. Zavyalova said their main duties were working with animals, preparing solutions, and administering injections.
Military hierarchy and restricted areas
According to Zavyalova, her direct supervisor was Alexander Nikiforov. However, in practice, all the men in the team acted as superiors to her, and junior employees could not refuse their requests for help.
The text also mentions that besides Alexander Nikiforov and Mikhail Yudin, military personnel such as Nikolai Vengerovich, Igor Ivanov, Mikhail Tyunin, and Ivan Fateev worked in a separate office within the company. These individuals also prepared documents and occasionally participated in experiments.
Zavyalova said that some outsiders also came to the laboratory, and she saw Vladimir Bykov several times. Bykov later married Anna Kurpyakova and holds a high position in the academy.
Entry to the work area was through a shared security checkpoint and turnstiles, with card access for entry and exit. She was never told what was inside the main building. Zavyalova said there were always vehicles in front of the main building, roads were regularly cleared in winter, and sometimes special vehicles were brought in through closed gates.
Context: The text gives the impression that although the laboratory appears to be an ordinary pharmaceutical company from the outside, it operates intertwined with military research. The testimony revolves around animal experiments, secret entrances, the presence of military personnel, and allegations of manipulated results.
The allegations are based solely on the account of a former employee without independent verification. The information in the text raises serious questions about the laboratory's operations, military connections, and chemical agent testing.
However, the text does not include any official statement or verified investigation results documenting these allegations.