Kathrine Frich
Animal rights activists have already filed a complaint with local prosecutors.
When a conflict drags on for years, people often look for answers in unexpected places.
Politicians turn to new strategies, while soldiers wait for fresh supplies.
Sometimes, though, a supporter far from the front lines decides to try something completely outside the modern playbook.
Sixty animals in a year
A Russian shaman named Artur Tsybikov wants to kill 60 camels to help President Vladimir Putin defeat Ukraine in a war now in its fifth year. According to LADbible, he plans to launch a year-long “marathon” ceremony this month in the city of Angarsk, near Irkutsk, slaughtering five animals a month as a gift to ancient spirits.
“We want to send 60 camels to the Slavic gods to ask for their forgiveness, help and support,” Tsybikov said, as reported by Metro. “All the ancestral gods will come. We will feed them, sit with them, talk to them and ask for forgiveness.”
Tsybikov, who has previously held ceremonies to back Putin during elections, said the slaughter is being done “on behalf of all the peoples of Russia.” According to LADbible, he claims the offering will ensure that “everything comes to an end sooner, with our victory in the war.”
Fear of speaking out
Not everyone in his home region of Buryatia agrees with the bloody plan, according to The Times. Animal rights activists have already filed a complaint with local prosecutors, and fellow spiritual figures are pushing back too.
According to LADbible, another shaman named Aleftina Sagaan-Ool called Tsybikov a “clown” over the stunt. “The death of animals will not stop the war,” she said.
Even so, locals doubt the police will step in, fearing that blocking a pro-war ceremony might look disloyal to the Kremlin. “Those who disapprove of the initiative fear being condemned as unpatriotic,” an unnamed shaman told the outlet People of Baikal. “Those who are against Artur are against Russia. If they start criticising him, they automatically become enemies of the people.”
A history of killings
Tsybikov has faced anger over animal killings before. Back in 2019, he slaughtered five camels to “strengthen Russia,” claiming to AFP that the animals died “humanely” during a traditional rite held once every three centuries.
“We must not disobey the gods,” he said at the time, according to France24. He also pointed to domestic troubles, telling AFP: “We have pension reforms and people are unhappy, we have (Western) sanctions, a lot of things are happening.”
Shaman leader Dopchun-ool Kara-ool Tyulyushevich condemned that 2019 event in remarks to AFP. “They killed five camels. That’s sadism. A shaman should love people, nature, animals and birds. But they don’t love anyone,” he said, though police refused to press charges because camels count as livestock under Russian law.
