"There were no such claims."
> There certainly was claims of bees reported to be dealing varroa over there.

OK, this has turned into a semantic argument. What I said that the trips to Primorsky were initiated by hypothesis and not claims. In the article you cite they say:

> Russian far east is almost certainly where currently existing honey bee populations have been exposed to varroa for the longest time... It can be hypothesized then that it is in Primorsky Territory of Russia that natural selection has had its best chance at molding bees able to withstand parasitism by Varroa jacobsoni. We decided to pursue this logic and investigate the possible resistance of honey bees to varroa in the Russian far east.

> The bees of Primorsky Territory are not immune to infestation by Varroa jacobsoni. Beekeepers practice chemical and cultural mite control. Few feral colonies exist. Even if results consistent with resistance are found, we still will not be able determine if low varroa levels are based on traits of Primorsky bees, traits of Primorsky mites, or environmental factors peculiar to the region.

I don't see anyone claiming a thing here.

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