Russia Buries Anthrax-Infected Cattle in Occupied Kherson Region

Russian forces have buried carcasses of livestock infected with anthrax in occupied parts of Ukraine's Kherson region, washingtontimes.com reported on June 25, 2026. Ukraine intelligence officials said the Russians created more than 50 such sites this week, with at least 10 considered particularly dangerous. DIU officials stated that infected animals were disposed of without sanitary standards.

Carcasses were buried rather than incinerated, and many sites sit in neglected condition near roads and settlements, including some less than one kilometer from residential areas. The sites lack secure fencing and protective structures, and Russian authorities have not performed required maintenance as soil covering the graves subsides.

Anthrax is a serious, often fatal disease that affects grazing animals such as cattle and sheep.

Humans can contract it through contact with infected animals or by inhaling resilient spores, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kyiv officials described the burials near population centers as an act of biological terrorism.

Ukraine said Russia may use the sites for a false-flag operation that could include a propaganda campaign accusing Ukraine of developing or using biological weapons.