Mass livestock culls in several Russian regions were linked not to pasteurellosis, as local officials claimed, but to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, according to an investigation by Novaya Gazeta Europe. The outlet says the disease was detected in the Novosibirsk region as early as February 2026, and large farms began destroying animals by the thousands after the state veterinary service confirmed the diagnosis.
A source at a major agricultural holding said that with foot-and-mouth disease, the standard response is total elimination of the outbreak site and burning of carcasses. According to the source, large enterprises acted without publicity and discussed compensation for losses with officials.
After several clusters were identified, the authorities widened testing across the region. By early March, villages were placed under quarantine and roadblocks appeared, but, the report says, no formal public documents were issued. Small farmers were given almost no clear explanation.
According to the investigation, veterinarians arrived at farms with police, seized animals, and carried out slaughter even when owners were absent. Residents were told it was “pasteurellosis” or rabies, although pasteurellosis is generally treated with antibiotics and does not require such destruction of livestock.
One reason for the secrecy, according to the source and the journalists, is Russia’s status as a country free of foot-and-mouth disease, obtained in May 2025. Losing that status after notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health could damage exports of meat and dairy products.
The outlet says signs of the same “dangerous infection” appeared in at least 18 regions, while officials in Tatarstan mentioned 15 regions. The greatest risk, the source argued, is that the disease could spread into areas where vaccination is barred in order to preserve a more favorable export status.