Headlines
Russia Vows Compensation for Culled Cattle After Farmers Protests
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 19, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 19, 2026
Quick Summary
On March 19, 2026, authorities in Russia’s Novosibirsk region pledged substantial financial support for nine months to compensate farmers after compulsory culling of cattle due to suspected disease outbreaks. Protests surged across Siberia amid economic strain and import bans from Kazakhstan.
Russia Vows Support for Farmers After Disease Forces Cattle Cull in Novosibirsk
Government Response and Impact on Novosibirsk Region
By Gleb Bryanski
MOSCOW, March 19 (Reuters) - Russian officials promised compensation to farmers in the Novosibirsk region on Thursday, where authorities have ordered thousands of cattle to be culled, sparking Russia's largest non-political protests since the start of the war in Ukraine.
State of Emergency and Disease Outbreak
The Siberian Novosibirsk region declared a state of emergency to tackle a cattle disease outbreak earlier this week. Officials said they had identified outbreaks of pasteurellosis - a severe bacterial pneumonia - and rabies.
Actions Taken by Authorities
Multiple videos posted on social media on Thursday showed police and vets arriving at a farm, which has a herd of about 600 head of cattle, in the village of Kozikha, 70 km (43 miles) southwest of the regional capital, Novosibirsk. The videos were not verified by Reuters.
Regional authorities sealed off access for outsiders to affected villages, while officials and local parliament members engaged in negotiations with groups of angry farmers. A government commission from Moscow arrived in the region on Wednesday.
Financial Support for Farmers
"For nine months, until the recovery of the farms, people will receive substantial financial support from the budget of the Novosibirsk region. All necessary funds for this are provided," Governor Andrei Travnikov told the regional parliament.
The governor did not name the diseases in his statements.
"Today, strict but absolutely necessary veterinary measures are being implemented in the territory of the Novosibirsk region to prevent the spread of the disease and to avoid significant damage to the livestock sector of our region," Travnikov said.
International and Regional Reactions
Kazakhstan, which borders Novosibirsk and other affected regions, has been gradually expanding a ban on meat and livestock imports from Russia since February, its agriculture ministry told Reuters on Thursday.
Community Response and Controversy
Farmers' Unusual Requests
FARMERS ASK FOR VILLAGE TO BE RENAMED AFTER PUTIN
Sergei Dankvert, the head of the government commission, said on Wednesday that the disease had taken an unusual form and started to mutate, prompting tough measures from authorities.
Videos from Kozikha showed trucks and police vehicles lined up outside the farm in a snowy field. Eleven residents of Kozikha recorded a video address, asking for their village to be renamed after President Vladimir Putin to protect their cattle.
Questions Over Diagnosis and Measures
Outbreaks of the diseases were reported in at least 10 regions of Russia, with some farmers and scientists questioning the diagnosis and the sweeping culls.
Expert Opinions
"In a strict sense, official comments are correct. They are not 'lies.' However, likely, they do not cover the whole picture, but part of it," said Ancha Baranova, a professor at George Mason University's School of Systems Biology.
"Neither pasteurellosis nor rabies (are) commensurate with the culling of large agricultural animals," she added, pointing out that in the case of pasteurellosis, it would be reasonable to start with culling chickens and other fowl.
Economic Impact
The payouts will further strain the budget of the region, which is already running the eighth-largest deficit measured as a percentage of revenues among Russian regions.
(Additional reporting by Mariya Gordeyeva in Almaty; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Key Takeaways
- •Regional officials in Novosibirsk promised nine months of significant financial aid as compensation for culled cattle, while declaring a state of emergency over suspected pasteurellosis and rabies outbreaks. (szru.gov.ua)
- •This abrupt aid commitment intensifies the burden on a region already facing one of Russia’s most severe budget deficits, where regional finances have already eroded to only a few days of spending reserves. (themoscowtimes.com)
- •Kazakhstan has widened bans on Russian meat and livestock imports in response to potential disease spread, adding further economic pressure on the troubled Novosibirsk agricultural sector. (en.orda.kz)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia vows compensation for culled cattle after farmers protests
1Why are cattle being culled in Novosibirsk, Russia?
Authorities ordered the culling due to identified outbreaks of pasteurellosis and rabies to prevent disease spread.
2What support are Russian farmers receiving after the cattle culls?
Farmers will receive substantial financial support from the Novosibirsk regional budget for up to nine months.
3How have farmers responded to the cattle culls?
Farmers have organized large protests, recorded video addresses, and asked for their village to be renamed after President Putin.
4Are there concerns about the accuracy of the disease diagnosis?
Some farmers and scientists have questioned the diagnosis and the extent of the culling, suggesting the full situation may not be clear.
5How is the livestock disease outbreak affecting regional trade?
Kazakhstan has expanded its ban on meat and livestock imports from Russia due to the outbreak.
