Russian shaman plans ritual sacrifice of 60 camels to aid war effort

Artur Cibikov, a 53-year-old shaman leading the Angara-based organization Eternal Blue Sky, has announced plans to sacrifice 60 camels over a 12-month period starting in November 2026. Cibikov intends for these rituals to seek divine assistance to ensure a Russian victory in the war against Ukraine and to remove negative influences from the country.

The proposal has drawn significant backlash from animal rights activists and members of the shamanic community. Representatives from the Tengeri shamanic center in Ulan-Ude stated that the camel is considered a sacred animal in Buryat tradition, making such sacrifices contrary to local customs.

This is not Cibikov's first such event; in 2019, he organized a ritual involving the killing and dismemberment of five camels brought from Buryatia. While animal rights activists have petitioned the Angara prosecutor's office to investigate potential animal cruelty, some members of the shamanic community expressed fear that criticizing Cibikov could lead to being labeled as enemies of Russia.