Protests are continuing in several Russian regions, above all in Novosibirsk Region, Altai Krai and Penza Region, over the mass seizure and destruction of livestock. The authorities justify these measures by citing alleged outbreaks of infectious diseases such as rabies and pasteurellosis, but many local residents and farmers say everything is being carried out without clear evidence, without any proper documentation being shown, and with the use of force.
The strongest resistance has been reported in villages in Novosibirsk Region, where residents have gone out onto the roads to stop veterinary services and equipment intended for the destruction of animals. Videos circulating online capture desperate cries from people saying they would rather “burn together with their cows” than hand them over. For many families, livestock is not just property but their only source of food and income.
According to residents’ accounts, veterinary teams often arrive together with the police, and sometimes with people wearing protective suits, while animals are at times sedated or taken away even when the owner is not at home. People say they are not shown test results or official decisions authorising the destruction. What has caused particular outrage is the claim by local residents that the harshest measures are being applied to private households, while large agricultural enterprises are generally limited to quarantine.
One of the most disturbing cases is that of farmer Svetlana Panina from Novosibirsk Region, who says that while she was away from home, veterinary services sedated and burned her entire livestock stock — around 100 cows, hundreds of sheep and even camels. In her account, the family was left with virtually nothing.
The tensions have also led to arrests. In the village of Novopichugovo, two men were detained on 11 March after trying to stop vehicles sent to remove livestock. One of them was Maksim Vil, the village’s only pharmacist, who was later sentenced to two days in detention for disobeying the police and allegedly organising an unlawful gathering. While he was in custody, the village was left without its only pharmacist.
The official justification itself is also raising further questions. Critics point out that under veterinary rules, animals with pasteurellosis are normally isolated and treated rather than automatically destroyed. This has fuelled growing suspicion among farmers that there may be more behind the mass cull than a simple disease-control measure. No convincing official explanation has so far been provided, while residents in the affected regions are preparing for further protests.