The Topchikha District Court in Altai Krai issued a ruling regarding the mass death of bee…

The Topchikha District Court in Altai Krai issued a ruling regarding the mass death of bee colonies in the summer of 2025. The farmer was ordered to pay the beekeeper compensation of about 2 million rubles, according to the regional courts' press service.

Within a few days in summer 2025, eight bee colonies died completely and 91 were affected at the apiary. The beekeeper linked the deaths to pesticide treatment of nearby fields by a neighboring farm.

The defendant denied the claim, stating he did not use insecticides on his fields and that other agricultural producers operate within a 7 km radius of the apiary. He also argued the damage amount was not proven.