Russia detains top doctors at Siberian hospital after nine babies die

Russia detains top hospital doctors after nine newborns die, sparking national outrage over medical negligence.

Reuters

14 January 2026 at 09:31:08

An investigator inspects a delivery room in a maternity hospital where nine newborn babies died this month, in Novokuzhetsk, Russia, in this still image taken from a video released on January 13, 2026.

Reuters

Russia has detained the chief doctor and acting head of the intensive care unit at a Siberian maternity hospital after the deaths of nine newborn babies, investigators said on Wednesday.

Russia's State Investigative Committee said that the doctors had been detained on suspicion of causing death through negligence. It was not immediately possible to reach the doctors or their lawyers.

"As a result of the suspects' improper performance of their official and professional duties in organising and providing medical care... nine newborns who were born between 1 December 2025 and 12 January 2026 died," the Committee said.

The case, reported by state and independent news outlets, provoked widespread outrage in Russia.

Politicians, commentators and ordinary Russians asked how the country could hope to raise its birth rate - a priority set by President Vladimir Putin - if such tragedies were allowed to happen.

-Reuters

Russia has detained the chief doctor and acting head of the intensive care unit at a Siberian maternity hospital after the deaths of nine newborn babies, investigators said on Wednesday.