Hidden Epidemic: Mass Slaughter Under a False Diagnosis
Authorities in Russia’s Kemerovo Oblast—widely known as Kuzbass—have carried out a large-scale culling of livestock at the Vaganovo dairy complex, officially attributing it to lumpy skin disease. Yet according to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the real culprit is foot-and-mouth disease, an outbreak the regional government is actively covering up to protect its livestock export market.
Under the pretext of nodular dermatitis, local officials secretly slaughtered roughly 4,000 dairy cows. The culling also extended to the village of Okunevo and several private farms. Farmers were banned from transporting or selling animals outside the district without an official quarantine, and dairies stopped accepting their milk. Authorities demanded that livestock owners vaccinate their herds with an undocumented, unknown drug—and sign a consent form.
This pattern mirrors an earlier incident in Novosibirsk Oblast at the start of the year, where authorities first blamed pasteurellosis before the regional veterinary center eventually confirmed foot-and-mouth disease in cows. Kuzbass Governor Ilya Seredyuk personally met with farmers, and after the conversation, they were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements. An official confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease would jeopardize all Russian livestock exports.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Russia may be systematically disguising foot-and-mouth disease as less dangerous infections. The response methods—total slaughter and live burning—are hallmarks of foot-and-mouth control. European food and veterinary agencies are urging buyers to avoid sourcing animals from Russia and Belarus due to widespread forgery of veterinary certificates. For instance, a rabid dog recently entered Germany despite having complete documentation.
Economic Fallout and Broader Risks
This situation has sparked alarm not only among farmers but also across the wider community. As participants in the meeting with the governor noted: “If anyone talks, everyone will be sent to the war in Ukraine.”
The economic motive for the cover-up is clear: an official acknowledgment of foot-and-mouth disease could devastate Russia’s agricultural sector. Kuzbass authorities are scrambling to avoid the international repercussions tied to a foot-and-mouth epidemic, which would severely damage the country’s reputation and economy. This case underscores the critical need for transparency in veterinary policy, as concealing outbreaks not only harms local farmers but also threatens animal health in neighboring countries.