Tyumen Region Imposes Mass Pig Culls Over Mystery Outbreak

Aug. 12, 2026 72.ru Authorities in western Siberia’s Tyumen region have begun forcibly seizing and culling domestic pigs across several rural villages following an outbreak of an undisclosed disease, the local outlet 72.ru reported Wednesday. As part of quarantine measures imposed Friday, disinfection checkpoints manned by police have reportedly been set up along Golyshmanovsky District roads to spray passing vehicles and prevent pork products from leaving the area. Video shared by the outlet showed men in hazmat suits spraying vehicles and photographs of them inspecting pigsties. Local veterinary officials reportedly refused to name the pathogen publicly, saying access to the information is restricted, while residents claimed it is being referred to as an “extraordinarily dangerous disease.” According to 72.ru, local agricultural experts believe the outbreak is likely African swine fever, a viral disease with a nearly 100% mortality rate among pigs but harmless to humans. Similar culls were carried out last September in the neighboring Vikulovsky District following an African swine fever outbreak, the outlet said. Rural residents expressed anger about the forced confiscation of their pigs, telling 72.ru that the animals were injected and incinerated without clear documentation or specific compensation figures. Local administration officials reportedly promised market-rate compensation during Monday’s town hall meeting, but warned that hiding animals from veterinary crews would carry steep fines. An official added that residents in affected areas are barred from raising pigs for at least one year. The incident follows a similar livestock culling after a pasteurellosis outbreak in the Novosibirsk region earlier this year. That quarantine, which triggered public protests, was lifted in June. Read more about: Agriculture , Tyumen Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Farmers Flock to Moscow Demanding Putin Put a Stop to Mass Culling of Cattle More than 90,000 head of cattle have been culled across at least nine regions since February, drawing widespread attention in Russia. 2 Min read News Analysis Russia Eyes New Windfall as Iran War Chokes Fertilizer Supplies As the world’s second-largest fertilizer producer, Russia is well positioned to capitalize on the disruption. 3 Min read Regions Calling: Siberian Farmers Abandon Livestock Standoff The Novosibirsk region has culled thousands of cows and other livestock, putting livelihoods at risk. Farmers in other regions worry they may be next. 4 Min read Record Harvest Won't Help Struggling Russian Wheat Producers Russia may harvest between 114 and 116 million tons of wheat this year, a record for post-Soviet Russia, according to the head of the Russian Grain Union...