Coptic Egyptian cleric says Russian invasion of Ukraine 'saved world from Covid'

Egypt's Coptic Metropolitan of Monofia sparked outrage by saying Putin's war on Ukraine saved humanity by ending the coronavirus pandemic, which he falsely claimed was created in a Ukrainian laboratory.

Anba Benjamin was asked by a journalist for his views on the Russian-Ukrainian war and the conflict's impact on the war in Egypt, according to Al-Bawaba News.

"That war saved everyone from the coronavirus pandemic, which was prepared in Ukrainian laboratories," he claimed.

"If Ukraine remained as it is, the viruses will not end, because America has the idea of ​​reducing the global population, which they plan on reducing from 7.2 billion to 2 billion people." 

 The religious leader added that Russian President Vladimir Putin bombed laboratories in Ukraine to eradicate the virus.

The cleric's comments mirror general pro-Russia conspiracy theories that are circulating across the region as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine.

Over the past two weeks, Moscow has increased its attacks on key civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. About 40 percent of the country's electric power system has been severely damaged, officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this month that 30 percent of Ukraine's power stations have been destroyed since 10 October.