Vladimir Putin has evoked Frankenstein-like fears by boasting that weaponising genetics could be “even more serious than the invention of the atomic bomb”, as he vowed to lead the world in new advances.

The Kremlin ruler said genetics could have “colossal consequences” from a security standpoint — and insisted that Russia not merely keep up with rivals, but “must be ahead”.

The stark language is alarming from a warmonger who views the world — and even science — through the lens of conflict.

By invoking the atomic bomb, Putin placed genetics alongside nuclear weapons, missiles and artificial intelligence as part of a Kremlin worldview in which almost every field becomes a potential battlefield.

“Regarding genetics in general, some believe that, from a security standpoint, it’s even more serious than the invention of the atomic bomb,” Putin told students and graduates from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT).

“It could have colossal consequences for humanity.

“Of course, we must not only not fall behind here.

Since launching the war, Moscow has repeatedly accused Ukraine and NATO countries of operating secret biological laboratories — allegations Kyiv and its allies say are baseless and designed to sow fear.

Against that backdrop, Putin’s claim that genetics could rival nuclear weapons in its security sees biotechnology drawn into the same escalation narrative that has fuelled the war.

“If energy, food and migration are weapons, then science becomes a weapon too,” said a Western diplomat.

Putin failed to outline how genetics could be weaponised but this might include sinister “ethnic weapons” in a modern Frankenstein nightmare.

Such bioweapons might be engineered to target people of specific ethnicities or those with certain genetic markers.

Putin could also be referring to hard-to-trace health impacts that blur the line between war and disease.

Another fear are DNA databases used for surveillance, profiling or coercion.

While the world may be a long way from a sci-fi super weapon, there is a fear that biology could become a new arms race.

Russia is bound by the Biological Weapons Convention, which bans the development and use of biological weapons.

But Putin’s emphasis on “security” and “being ahead” may be an attempt to blur the line between defence and offence, especially in a system where civilian research and military priorities overlap.

Russia recently moved to curb the export of Russians’ genetic material, citing national security concerns.

Putin, 73, is also known to be obsessed with longevity, telling fellow dictator – Chinese leader Xi Jinping, 72 – that they could both live to 150, claiming “human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become.”

The Russian state has sought to harness genetic research and ancillary technologies with a source referring to him and saying: “The biggest boss [Putin] set a task, and officials rushed to implement it in every possible way.”

An informer revealed: “We were asked to urgently send all our developments, and the letter came, let’s say, today, and everything had to be sent yesterday.”

Experts were told to submit “development proposals” to reduce cell deterioration.

They were instructed to highlight new technologies preventing cognitive and sensory impairment, as well as methods for correcting the immune system, and new medical technology based on bioprinting.

Putin’s eldest daughter Maria Vorontsova, 40, an endocrinologist, is also suspected to be involved in the hugely-funded search for longer life in Russia.

But today his health minister Mikhail Murashko confessed the Russians have failed to crack the secret of the “elixir of youth”.

“So far, there is no universal pill for old age,” he admitted.

“And I may be wrong, of course, but creating a universal pill for old age will probably be quite difficult for now.”