Synthetic biology is a newly emerging branch of dual-use technology. It is a combination of biology and different branches of engineering. The aim of this article is to show the main technological methods of synthetic biology and to give specific examples of its use to create new types of biological agents and methods of biological warfare, previously unthinkable and presented only in science fiction. Basic tools and techniques of synthetic biology are: DNA synthesis and DNA sequencing; «chassis», i.e. host system harboring the genetic toolbox for expression of the desired genes, delivered by suitable vectors, of the engineered biological pathway; engineering of transcription systems that do not deplete the resources of the cell (synthetic promotors and transcription factors); genome modification tools (CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease, zinc finger nucleases, TALE nucleases, meganucleases); computer-aided tools (involved in basic structural design and synthesis; in network design; in prediction of behavior/function/response). Synthetic biology has already demonstrared its capabilities in re-creating known pathogenic viruses and pathogenic bacteria; in making existing pathogenic bacteria and viruses more dangerous for humans; in creating new pathogens; in manufacturing toxic chemicals or biochemicals by exploiting natural and artificial metabolic pathways; in making toxic chemicals and biochemicals via in situ synthesis; in modifying the human microbiome; in modifying the human immune system; in modifying the human genome (through addition, deletion, or modification of genes or through epigenetic changes that modify gene expression and can pass from parent to child during reproduction and thus spread a genetic change through the population over time). The article discusses in detail the possibilities of synthetic biology for the development of new means of biological warfare. The author believes that it is necessary not only to constantly monitor these new dual-use biotechnologies, but also to improve traditional and scientific methods of their monitoring.

Sulfur mustard was widely used during the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988) and in other conflicts in the Middle East. Due to its availability, it can be used by terrorist organizations on the territory of the Russian Federation. Iran is the only country, against which mustard gas was used in modern warfare. The aim of this work is to analyze and summarize the experience of treating of sulfur mustard exposure, accumulated by Iranian specialists during the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988). The UN official documents and materials, declassified CIA documents, articles of Iranian authors as well as other open sources have been used during its preparation. The Iraqi army used mustard gas in two aggregate states: liquid and dry. Dry mustard gas was a novelty of that war. It was a powdered silica steeped in mustard gas, with a particle size of less than 5 μm. The first signs and symptoms of poisoning could appear after 15 minutes, while acute poisoning effects of exposure to mustard gas vapour or liquid were typically delayed for several hours. The reasons for the severe mustard lesions of the servicemen were the lack of personal protective equipment, untimely evacuation from the mustard gas contamination zone, and the absence of mobile reserves of clean water and degassing installations in battle formations. Iranian experts consider 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution to be the most effective decontaminant. The only safe antidote is sodium thiosulfate, administered within 60 minutes after exposure to mustard gas. During the evacuation of victims and their treatment in hospitals it is necessary, in severe cases, to insert an intravenous catheter, carry out a tracheotomy with the installation of a tracheotomy tube, and use bronchoscopy as early as possible to flush the bronchi. The treatment of skin and eye lesions should be conservative. In case of a corneal perforation, if its diameter is more than 2 mm – keratoplasty, if it is less – cyanoacrylate glue. Treatment of respiratory lesions aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the severity of complications. For this, bronchodilators, antitussives, mucolytics and, if necessary, antibiotics are used. The use of corticosteroids should be limited to the treatment of those patients with bronchospasm, who can not be treated by bronchodilators. The Iranians also consider gene therapy and treatment with mesenchymal stem cells to be the promising method used in the treatment of lung lesions.

A difficult situation, close to an environmental disaster, had been developing in the town of UsolyeSibirskoye, Irkutsk Region, since the 90s of the ХХ century. In 2020, the problem of accumulated environmental damage caused by chemical enterprises of the ecological zone of Lake Baikal, reached the federal level. On July 30, 2020, the President of the Russian Federation set the task of eliminating chemical contamination on the territory of the former enterprise LLC «Usoliekhimprom». The aim of this work is to summarize the experience of the Russian NBC Protection Troops, accumulated in course of eliminating the environmental damage, caused by the activities of chemical enterprises in the city of Usolye-Sibirskoye, Irkutsk region. The plan on priority measures was drawn up on the basis of careful monitoring of the «Usoliekhimprom» LLC industrial site in order to eliminate the chemical threats, existed at the facility. The special group of troops (forces) was formed to take part in liquidation activities. This group was formed from NBC Protection Troops, the State Atomic Energy Corporation «Rosatom», the Russian Emergencies Ministry, the Russian Guard and the Federal Biomedical Agency. In course of the training, the special group of troops (forces) worked out all the issues related to the safe conduct of the work, organized interaction between departments, and distributed the functional responsibilities. After the completion of the preparatory stage, the group began to work. 17 emergency railway tanks containing 104, 3 tons of toxic chemicals were fragmented, the above-ground part of the mercury electrolysis workshop with more than 600 tons of mercury was dismantled, the most dangerous wells Р-2Х and Р-5 with 107 thousand liters of epichlorohydrin production wastes were pumped out. In course of work, the detachment of the NBC Protection Troops carried out continuous monitoring of the chemical situation on the territory of the industrial site of «Usoliekhimprom LLC» and the adjacent territory. When carrying out liquidation measures, the personnel of the detachment of the NBC Protection Troops faced a number of problematic issues related to ensuring chemical safety. The solution of these problems made it possible to complete all the work in time and at a high professional level. All the work was carried out from August 8 to November 24, 2020.

The lecture is intended for training specialists in higher educational establishments according to the Federal state standard «Robotics for military and special purposes» and also for training operators of robotic complexes (facilities) for military purposes in training centers and military units. The lecture addresses two study questions: 1) Retrospective analysis of radiation accidents and their consequences. 2) Analysis of the use of robotic technology and robotics systems for elimination the consequences of radiation accidents. Conclusion: The material presented in the lecture is aimed at expanding the knowledge of those who are trained in the history of radiation accidents (disasters), as well as in the use of robotic technology and robotic systems for eliminating the consequences of such accidents. The analysis of the use of robotics in conditions of an increased radiation background, given in the lecture, will make it possible to form the necessary competencies of specialists of the NBC protection troops in order to effectively perform their tasks as intended.

An earlier analysis of approaches to the creation and improvement of protective materials and tissues made it possible to assume that the development of personal protective equipment (PPE) against various damaging factors of chemical, biological and physical nature can in future go towards the creation of modular organometallic frame structures (MOF-materials) with specific properties (from toxic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms). The aim of this article is to develop and disclose the principle of modularity of construction of protective materials based on MOF-structures with specific properties. The principle of modularity of construction of protective materials with specific properties, proposed by us, is based on the use of single unified platform, on the surface of which special modules or combinations of modules are applied, which ensure the protection from various factors of chemical, biological and physical nature. The universal structure of MOF, called «MOF-universal», has been substantiated. The composition and properties of individual modules, possible and optimal combinations of modules of MOF-structures, the importance and significance of individual modules and their combinations for imparting universal protective properties to MOF-material are determined. The use of this principle will make it possible to impart protective properties to almost any clothing, while maintaining its physiological and hygienic characteristics and providing the required level of protection for personnel, without using specialized personal protective equipment.

Despite serious attention to the issues of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed on an unprecedented scale in concentration camps in Nazi Germany, the problem of medical experiments on prisoners appears to be one of the least-studied in modern Russian historiography. Moreover, no special attention was paid to testing chemical weapons on humans. The aim of this work is to review the history of the development and testing of chemical warfare agents (CWA) in Germany in 1933–1945. During the First World War, Germany was one of the leading countries in the sphere of military chemistry in the world. After the Versailles treaty this potential was largely lost as a result of the restrictions. After the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) came to power, Germany not only restored, but also increased its military power and achieved a qualitative superiority over its opponents in the field of chemical weapons. The tests of CWA, as well as the study of the effectiveness of the means and protocols for the treatment of the lesions caused by CWA, were carried out both by the military structures of the Wehrmacht and the SS, and by civilian research and academic institutions. Experiments on prisoners were carried out in the concentration camps of Dachau, Ravensbrück, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Buchenwald, Sachsenhausen, Natzweiler-Struthof, Neuengamme, etc. Basically, the damaging effects of sulfur mustard and phosgene was investigated. In Auschwitz-Birkenau «a study of the action of various chemical preparations was carried out on the orders of German firms». After the war several SS doctors, who performed involuntary experiments on humans, were convicted by military tribunals for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Seven doctors were sentenced to death and executed on June 2, 1948, at the prison for war criminals in Landsberg, Bavaria. As a result of the Nuremberg trials, the Nuremberg Code was drawn up. It was the first international document that introduced ethical standards for scientists engaged in experiments on humans. It consisted of 10 principles, including the necessity of voluntary informed consent of the patient for the participation in medical experiments after providing him with full information about the nature, duration and purpose of the experiment; on the methods of its implementation; about all the perceived inconveniences and dangers associated with the experiment, and, finally, the possible consequences for the physical or mental health of the subject, which may arise as a result of his participation in the experiment.