AN HORRIFIC camel-burning ritual has been branded sadistic after five animals were hacked to pieces and burned on an open pyre by Siberian shaman.

However, those behind the sick ceremony have defended their actions saying the sacrifices would help "strengthen Russia" and only happen once every 300 years.

The 'Eternally Blue Sky' group, based in the isolated and frozen city of Angarsk, posted an online clip showing the burning of chopped-up Bactrian camels.

The vile video, which has now been removed from YouTube, prompted accusations of animal cruelty and has even sparked splits in Russia's shamanic communities.

Prosecutors have now called for the group to face charges of animal cruelty, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence in Russia.

The leader of Eternally Blue Sky, Artur Tsybikov told the SCMP the bizarre ritual sacrifice was part of traditional beliefs and only held once every three centuries.

"We must not disobey the gods,” he said adding “the animals were killed humanely” as shamans view the double-humped camels as particularly sacred.

In Russia, shamanism is practised among indigenous peoples in parts of Siberia and the Far East.

Double-humped Bactrian camels are bred in Siberia due to their ability to carry hefty loads over long distances.

“It’s our tradition, I don’t see anything wrong. We slaughtered them, cut them up and cooked them,” said Tsybikov.

Prosecutors in Angarsk have now sent their findings on the ritual to police, requesting them to open a criminal case, TASS news agency reported.

Other shamans have distanced themselves from the ritual - saying true believers love all nature.

Shaman leader Dopchun-ool Kara-ool Tyulyushevich, based in eastern Siberia’s Tuva region, said the ritual was not true shamanism.

“They killed five camels. That’s sadism. A shaman should love people, nature, animals and birds. But they don’t love anyone,” he said.