Aim The aim of this study was to assess whether the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, has converted from a research institute working with biological weapons to a research institute for peaceful purposes. This study also strives to give an unbiased view of activities that have been undertaken at Vector since 1994, and by that get an insight of its current scientific capability and research interest. Method The assessment is, in part based on the Vector institute's engagement in an international context, but mainly on openly available scientific articles published since 1994. The publications were sorted in chronological order with respect to different viruses, diseases, technologies and certain key individuals. Scientific activities were then sorted in a historical context. Results The number of openly published articles has increased since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, 1991, and the proportion of articles published in English has also increased over time. Orthopoxviruses, including variola virus, have been and remain an active area of research at Vector. Research in recent years has mainly concerned the development of diagnostics, vaccines and antivirals. The study also identifies other viruses of interest, technical expertise as well as national and international collaborations. Conclusion Based on the publication profile, it was found that the main scientific interest at Vector is oriented toward the Russian public health issues. Researchers at Vector still have some interest in biological agents that were part of the former B-weapons program even though they do not pose a public health problem in Russia. A number of positive signs of conversion have been identified, such as an increase of the number of published articles in English since the early 1990s. In addition, the focus has been development of diagnostic methods and development of vaccines and antivirals, including viruses related to B-weapons that are handled at Vector. If transparency has been more pronounced the positive indications for conversion had been even stronger. Therefore it is not possible to completely rule out that there are covert activities at Vector.