Hello!

I’m Svetlana Bronnikova, a journalist for the independent media outlet 7x7. In the Novosibirsk region, farmers from local villages have been protesting in the streets for nearly two weeks, since March 9. The issue is that local authorities are destroying livestock under the pretext of an infection. However, residents are not being told exactly which infection it is; officials cite documents published under a shroud of secrecy.

Outbreaks of rabies and pasteurellosis—a bacterial infection that affects farm animals—were indeed recorded in the Novosibirsk region in early 2026. At the time, however, authorities claimed there was no cause for concern. By mid-March, the situation shifted: security forces began detaining farmers and journalists who protested the culling or spoke about it publicly. Meanwhile, officials are ignoring residents' pleas and sending veterinarians and police to villages to continue the slaughter.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Failure of prevention: from outbreaks to lockdowns

The first cases of the disease were recorded in early February in the Cherepanovsky and Karasuksky districts. The region was declared "unfavorable" regarding pasteurellosis. Officials insisted the situation was under control and that the measures being taken were standard prevention.

However, by March, the infection had spread to new territories: the Ordynsky, Bagansky, and Kupinsky districts. Strict restrictions were imposed in several villages: the transport of meat and milk was banned, entry and exit were restricted, and checkpoints with barriers and police posts were established. Residents' cars were sprayed with disinfectants.

In the village of Kozikha (Ordynsky District), a quarantine was imposed after an outbreak at the local "Vodoley" farm. The infected livestock there was destroyed to prevent the disease from spreading to private households. Similar measures were applied in other settlements.

According to local media, authorities in the Kupinsky district burned over a thousand head of cattle due to pasteurellosis and rabies. Another thousand were destroyed in the Karasuksky district. Residents say the smoke from the burning reached the outskirts of the city of Novosibirsk.

The infection has quickly spread to other regions of Russia. According to open data, authorities across the country have destroyed approximately 6,000 animals, including cows, sheep, and even camels.

"Putin village": a desperate bid for attention

The methods used to fight the infection have become the core of the conflict between residents and the authorities. People claim that healthy livestock is being slaughtered along with the sick. According to farmers, no tests are conducted before the slaughter, and decisions are made without explanation.

Compensation for seized animals is approximately 171 rubles per kilogram of live weight. Residents consider this amount insufficient, as it is impossible to buy new livestock or restore a farm with such funds.

• March 9 (Kozikha): Residents attempted to block the road for equipment heading to the disposal site. Police arrived and threatened people with administrative charges. One protester was detained but later released.
• Novopichugovo: Residents also tried to stop specialized machinery but were pushed off the road by police. Authorities labeled the gathering an "unauthorized event" and detained two people. Among them was Maxim Vil, a local pharmacy worker. His detention left the village without a pharmacist for several days, as he was the only specialist in the area.

Following the protests, the Investigative Committee of Russia promised to look into reports of possible violations during the seizure of animals.

In a desperate move, residents of several villages — Kozikha, Beryozovka, Novopichugovo, Verkh-Chik, Maly Chik, Filippovo, and Proletarsky — recorded a video appeal to Vladimir Putin. They maintain their livestock is healthy and that the authorities' actions are destroying private livelihoods. Many of these farmers emphasize that they voted for Putin in the presidential election and are now seeking his protection. Residents of Kozikha even suggested renaming their village after Putin, hoping the name change would finally draw attention to the mass culling.

Officials avoid accountability

Some regional politicians have publicly supported the residents, arguing that while quarantine is necessary, the implementation is flawed. They believe authorities should provide laboratory confirmation of illness and consider treatment options before resorting to immediate destruction.

Supporters of the farmers fear that mass seizures will lead to the collapse of rural life. For many, livestock is the primary source of income and survival; without it, they will have nothing to eat and no other employment options in the villages.

Veterinary services, meanwhile, justify the harsh measures by citing the high speed at which the infection spreads. They claim residents themselves may unintentionally carry the bacteria through contact or contaminated clothing.

The standoff has lasted nearly two weeks. Attempts to dialogue with officials often end in failure. For example, on March 16, farmer Svetlana Panina went to the regional government to demand answers after her livestock was destroyed. On March 12, while she was away, veterinary services killed approximately 200 of her animals — including 150 sheep, 40 cows, seven goats, three camels, and two piglets. The Minister of Agriculture for the Novosibirsk region, Andrei Shindelov, refused to speak with her and literally ran away.

It wasn't until March 19 that Governor Andrei Travnikov first commented on the mass slaughter. He stated that all measures are being carried out according to veterinary rules and Russian law, adding that farmers have already begun receiving compensation.