Peskov on Irkutsk reports Defers to Rospotrebnadzor

Oct 5

An unidentified journalist asks whether the Kremlin is monitoring the situation in the Irkutsk region, citing reports that an anti-plague institute employee contracted plague and contrasting them with Rospotrebnadzor's account of pneumonia of unknown origin. Dmitry Peskov identifies Rospotrebnadzor as the competent lead agency, urges reliance on its official statements rather than rumors or speculation, and praises its professionals. He does not directly confirm Kremlin monitoring or give a categorical diagnosis or denial of plague in this excerpt.

At his October 5, 2026 Kremlin conference call, Dmitry Peskov responds to a question about reported infection of an Irkutsk-region anti-plague institute employee. The journalist contrasts plague reports with Rospotrebnadzor's description of pneumonia of unknown origin. Peskov calls Rospotrebnadzor the competent lead agency and urges listeners to heed its official statements rather than rumors and speculation, praising its expertise. The response does not directly confirm Kremlin monitoring or categorically determine the illness.