Open letter to the Investigative Committee regarding the mass destruction of domestic livestock in Siberia

This appeal is public and has been sent to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia with a request to stand in defense of residents of the affected regions in connection with the mass destruction of small-scale farming and private household farms.

Since the beginning of February 2026, mass operations have been underway in the Novosibirsk region — and neighboring regions of Siberia — involving the seizure and destruction of cattle under declared quarantine restrictions. According to official data, numerous outbreaks of rabies (42 outbreaks) and pasteurellosis have been recorded in the region, and quarantine has been introduced in five districts. The authorities claim that the seizure of livestock is necessary to prevent the spread of disease, namely rabies and pasteurellosis. According to media reports, since February 2026, based on Telegram channels and local public pages, “the number of destroyed cows and bulls has reached into the thousands.” In particular, more than one thousand head of cattle have been destroyed in the Kupinsky District, and about one thousand in the village of Kalinovka in the Karasuksky District. After protests, the regional authorities initiated compensation procedures for the owners; citizens are being offered about 170 rubles per 1 kg of live livestock weight. At the same time, local residents and the media have documented numerous complaints about violations of lawful procedures and citizens’ rights.

In this connection, we consider it necessary for the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office to urgently intervene in the situation in order to verify all arguments raised by local residents, examine the circumstances, and take measures to stop any possible violations on the part of regional authorities.

Citizens of a number of localities (the villages of Kozikha, Novopichugovo, Lukoshino, Novoklyuchi, and others) describe the situation as follows: the animals in their yards appear healthy, with no visible signs of illness, yet officials are forcibly seizing the livestock and killing it “under the pretext of a dangerous infection.” According to the farmers, they repeatedly demanded documents regarding the quarantine and test results, but were shown neither the quarantine decree nor the results of veterinary examinations.

Residents note that the quarantine decree has not been published on the official website of the regional government and has allegedly been circulated only “for official use.” Many also report threats and intimidation: when they resist the machinery or attempt to obtain information, they are threatened with dismissal, criminal cases, and even the use of OMON riot police.

For example, during the roadblocks in the village of Kozikha, people shouted: “We will not let anyone burn healthy cows. Then burn us together with the cows.” Several activists were detained, farmers received summonses, and one village council deputy was arrested for two days for an “unauthorized event.”

This information has been covered by federal media outlets, in particular Gazeta.Ru: https://www.gazeta.ru/social/2026/03/13/22637479.shtml

On the “Open Russia” forum and on social media, residents report that the seized carcasses lay for a long time near populated areas (they were supposed to be burned, but allegedly “it was not possible to fully dispose of them”). Citizens express concern that the quarantine and roadblocks are effectively blocking entry and exit, including for ambulances, and that the promised compensation of about 170 rubles per kilogram (“171 rubles” according to some reports) is clearly insufficient: the current market value of a young healthy bull is many times higher than that amount. The authorities have still not provided a full list of the affected farms, and farmers are forced either to remain silent or face sanctions. All of these facts have been collected in numerous media reports and videos recorded by the residents themselves: “All the cows in our farmsteads are healthy and active, and we consume their products. An organized act of sabotage is taking place,” villagers say in a video appeal to the president.

Let us briefly list the key facts and complaints documented by the media and by the citizens themselves.

1. Livestock owners are not being shown the quarantine order or laboratory findings. Farmers have repeatedly demanded documentation regarding infected animals, but officials refuse, citing “official secrecy.” According to one farmer, he was told that the decree exists, but “they cannot show it to us either. The prosecutor threatened us.” This practice violates the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which requires the official publication of acts restricting citizens’ rights.

   
   

2. When attempting to prevent the seizure of livestock, people are confronted by police and security forces. In Kozikha, local residents blocked the road to prevent machinery from passing, while uniformed officials threatened them with fines and arrest; several residents were detained, including activists and journalists. According to reports, a deputy head of the local administration promised to “bring in OMON” and “take us down, and the livestock will be burned anyway.” Witnesses note that under such harsh measures, people feel their safety and health are at risk: villagers say that blocked checkpoints are preventing ambulances from reaching those in need.

   
   

3. Residents indicate that the quarantine was introduced “by order of the governor,” but local directives are not being published for the public. Tests for Pasteurella (pasteurellosis) were allegedly conducted only selectively, and in fact there were no “sick” cows in the yards. At the same time, farmers cannot understand what specific disease is involved: officially, officials speak of pasteurellosis and rabies, but in the villages even the possible diagnosis is being concealed as an “unknown disease.” Such a lack of clarity has given rise to rumors of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, an extremely dangerous illness. People fear that environmental and veterinary measures have turned into a “secret special operation”: “When you ask a question, they say it is pasteurellosis. They contradict themselves — they do not know themselves what disease it is.”

   
   
4. Private household farms in many villages are the only source of income; without livestock, families will be left without means of subsistence. Citizens complain that they are being driven into the street and their farmsteads are being ruined, without regard for their housing conditions, loans, or debts. “Without livestock, there will be nothing to feed our families with; there is no other work in the district,” they say. At the same time, the compensation amount (about 170 rubles per kilogram) stands in sharp contrast to actual costs and market value: farmers note that the current payments do not cover even half of the real damage. These numerous testimonies from the media and social networks point to serious social tension and possible abuse of power by officials. We are not drawing conclusions in advance, but we note that experts in the published materials are already pointing to potential violations of the law.

According to media reports and legal experts, the actions of the regional authorities may contradict current legislation.

• A legal act establishing quarantine must be officially published and brought to the attention of animal owners. Meanwhile, local residents report that orders concerning restrictions and the seizure of livestock “are not published and are classified as official-use documents.” The Constitution of the Russian Federation and veterinary regulations require transparency in such decisions; otherwise, restrictions on citizens’ rights lack proper legal certainty.

  
  

• Under the current rules of the Ministry of Agriculture, pasteurellosis requires the treatment and isolation of sick animals, while mass slaughter of healthy livestock is not предусмотрено. As legal experts note, “it is unlawful to seize live animals on the basis of pasteurellosis.” If indeed only outbreaks of pasteurellosis were recorded, as officially claimed, then citizens are entitled to have their livestock treated rather than systematically slaughtered. Seizure without documentation and the killing of healthy animals may qualify as abuse of official authority.

  
  

• The law regulates the procedure for restrictive measures in infection zones, including the obligations of officials: the owner must receive an order for the seizure and be acquainted with it against signature; after the slaughter, a seizure report must be drawn up. According to media reports, livestock owners are not receiving copies of the reports and orders, although under the law one copy of the report must be handed to the owner. The absence of such documents deprives citizens of the ability to monitor the lawfulness of the authorities’ actions. Legal experts point out that seizure without providing documentation and without explaining the grounds is also a violation of the law.

  
  

• Residents note that only the livestock of private household farms is being subjected to bans and destruction, whereas the large pedigree farm “Irmen,” whose chairman is a member of the regional agricultural committee, has not been affected by the restrictions. If selective application of quarantine measures is confirmed, this may point to political or corrupt distortion of veterinary measures.

  
  
• The difference between pasteurellosis and foot-and-mouth disease is extremely significant. In Russia, pasteurellosis is not included in the list of especially dangerous diseases, unlike foot-and-mouth disease. As industry experts emphasize, pasteurellosis does not imply such harsh measures as the mass slaughter of livestock. If, however, foot-and-mouth disease is in fact involved, as farmers and the media unofficially suggest, then an emergency quarantine should have been introduced and publicly announced. Concealing the diagnosis as an “unknown disease” and the dissemination of contradictory information have already become the subject of journalistic investigations.

Bringing together the above facts and references to the applicable regulations, we believe there are sufficient grounds to review the actions of regional veterinary and law enforcement authorities for legality and justification.

We, the residents of Russia, appeal to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation and the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation with the following requests:

1. To thoroughly examine and investigate all reports received from citizens and the media regarding the unlawful seizure and destruction of domestic livestock. To verify whether all norms of veterinary and procedural law were observed during the introduction of quarantine and the seizure of animals, including the proper publication of quarantine acts, the issuance of seizure reports, the availability of test results, and other mandatory procedures.

   
   

2. To assess whether the actions of officials complied with the law. If it is confirmed that healthy animals were seized because of pasteurellosis without medical grounds and that orders were not communicated to the owners, then this constitutes an abuse of authority and a violation of veterinary rules. We request that the circle of persons who gave such instructions be identified and that measures be taken within the framework of criminal or administrative law.

   
   

3. To pay attention to ensuring the safety and rights of farmers. To verify reports of threats of force and unlawful pressure on protesting residents, including threats of deploying OMON or initiating criminal cases. If necessary, to initiate procedural actions against those responsible for such unlawful conduct.

   
   

4. To oversee the lawfulness of compensation and social payments. To monitor the payment of compensation for livestock in accordance with regional Resolution No. 404-p and to ensure that the affected citizens receive full financial and social support in accordance with the law.

   
   

5. To facilitate the publication of information concerning the quarantine, including decrees, inspection records, and veterinary conclusions, as well as full public information for the population. People must be given the opportunity to acquaint themselves with an objective picture of what is happening: what disease has been identified, where and on what legal basis the seized animals were taken, and how exactly the prescribed procedures are being carried out.

   
   

This appeal has been prepared on the basis of an analysis of media materials and video appeals by citizens. We hope that the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor’s Office, guided by the principles of the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights, will consider our arguments objectively and take measures to protect the population from arbitrariness and lawlessness. The situation with the mass destruction of agricultural livestock has already become the subject of broad public concern, and any inaction by the authorities may lead to even more severe social consequences.

We ask you to ensure an independent and comprehensive investigation of the indicated violations, to provide a legal assessment of the actions of regional officials, and to resort to the measures provided by law to protect the population. We are convinced that only strict compliance with procedures and accountability will help restore people’s trust in the authorities and ensure legality in an emergency situation.

Attention.

This appeal has been prepared by the public of Russia. All responses from state authorities will be publicly covered for a wide audience in order to preserve transparency. The appeal has also been additionally sent as a formal document to the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office.

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To all allies — please share this appeal and monitor the situation surrounding the destruction of small-scale farming in the Siberian regions.

Respectfully, citizens of Russia.