27 killed by bears in Russia since spring 2026

The number of bear attack victims in Russia has risen to 27.

Consensus

At least 27 people have died in bear attacks in Russia since spring 2026.
The most recent fatality occurred in the Pinega area of Arkhangelsk Oblast on October 18–20, 2026.
The victim was a 49-year-old local man who went into the forest to collect berries.
The man was carrying a rifle when he entered the forest.
His body was found on October 20, 2026, in a forested area of Pinezhsky District.
The bear that attacked him is being targeted for elimination.
Bear attacks have increased in frequency across multiple Russian regions.
The rise in attacks is linked to poor harvests of cedar nuts, a key food source for bears.
Bear sightings near populated areas have increased in 41 Russian regions.
A criminal case was opened following the death of a bear attack victim in Tuva.

Two people died in early October in Nizhneilimsky District, Irkutsk Oblast, with remains found 15 km apart. — vesti
The victim in Arkhangelsk Oblast died from severe injuries sustained during the attack, and the region had not recorded bear attacks on humans since 1978. — fontanka
A 15-year-old boy was attacked by a bear on a bee farm in Soltonsky District, Altai Krai, on August 8, and survived with moderate injuries. — vedomosti
A renowned hockey coach, Alexander Kuzmenko, died in Tuva due to a bear attack; he was the father of an NHL player. — vedomosti
Two elderly women were killed by a bear in Krasnoyarsk Krai, and a tourist was killed in a tent camp in Altai Krai. — vm
The highest number of fatal attacks occurred in Krasnoyarsk Krai and Irkutsk Oblast, each with seven fatalities. — tg_rian_ru
Approximately 25 people died in bear attacks in Russia from the beginning of the year, according to TASS calculations. — tg_tass_agency