Russian investigators opened a criminal negligence probe on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, into local officials in the Krasnoyarsk region following six fatal bear attacks this month. The Investigative Committee of Russia accused authorities of failing to regulate the predator population or protect residential areas despite more than 120 reports of bear sightings across 15 districts, including the regional capital.
The brown bear population in the Krasnoyarsk region has reached more than 26,000, which the Investigative Committee stated is 2.5 times its previous level. Nationwide, the natural resources ministry reports the brown bear population has grown from approximately 130,000 in 1990 to nearly 308,000 in 2026. While the ministry noted the average number of attacks across Russia remains constant at 20 to 30 annually, state news agency Tass reported 17 fatalities in Siberian and Far Eastern regions in recent months.
Recent fatalities in Krasnoyarsk include two pensioners found mauled near Podtyosovo, a 40-year-old factory worker killed on September 6, and a 39-year-old logger killed early Wednesday. In the neighboring Khakassia region, Deputy Head Dmitry Buchenik described the town of Abaza as "effectively under siege" by bears appearing from all directions. Officials there reported killing three bears during an operation to drive the animals away from an area near the town bridge.
The investigation affects local government administrators in the Krasnoyarsk region, who now face a potential criminal case for their handling of wildlife management. The surge in bear activity impacts residents in Abaza and across the Yeniseysky, Sosnovoborsky, and Yermakovsky municipal districts. Residents have reported 120 sightings this month alone.
Residents in the neighboring Tomsk region face restrictions on mass events, excursions, and forest gatherings until at least November 1, as ordered by Governor Vladimir Mazur. The Investigative Committee is currently conducting a legal assessment to determine if officials properly performed their duties. The outcome may influence future hunting quotas and population control measures for Russia's brown bears. Next steps include the ongoing investigative actions to establish the circumstances of the six deaths.