The transit of the camels was agreed beforehand, but now Ukrainian officials say there's a ban on moving animals through their territory as a measure against African hog cholera.

Earlier, the infection was detected on farms in the Stavropol region of southern Russia. But officials say it had already been eliminated.

Russian customs officers who checked the animals on their side of the border say the camels are healthy and have all the necessary documents to continue their passage to Bulgaria.

“For our part, we have no claim regarding this merchandise. The whole thing was registered in accordance with Russian legislation,” said Vera Makarchuk, a Russian customs official,.

The dead camel can’t be buried and its body remains in the truck with the other animals.

“I am not to blame. The other side must bear responsibility for the animal's death, the side that is really to blame. We shouldn’t have been standing here. It’s nonsensical,” said truck driver Igor Bogatyrev.

Animal rights activists have also used the opportunity to speak out claiming animals shouldn’t be made victims of politics or someone’s entertainment.

“Generally speaking, the responsibility devolves to those who still go to the circus which these animals take part in, thereby they support this violent entertainment, which should be consigned to the past,” said Konstantin Savinin, an animal welfare activist.