Central Asia

China expands weapons sales across former Soviet Central Asia

China is rapidly expanding its share of the defense market in former Soviet Central Asian states such as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, after years of serving primarily as a trade and investment partner, The Moscow Times reported.

31 August, 01:49 PM

Uzbekistan slowly becoming main buyer of Ukrainian sugar

Uzbekistan has become one of the three top export destinations for Ukrainian sugar, and could emerge as its number one importer by the end of April, Latifundist wrote on April 30.

1 May, 11:04 AM

Ukraine makes diplomatic breakthrough with Azerbaijan, expert suggests

Ukraine–Azerbaijan relations have qualitatively improved in a diplomatic “breakthrough,” Serhiy Danilov, deputy head of the Association for Middle East Studies, told NV Radio on April 27.

28 April, 01:37 AM

100+ foreign nationals from 32 countries held in Ukrainian captivity

More than 100 foreign citizens from 32 countries, excluding Russians, are currently held in Ukrainian captivity, with the largest numbers from Central Asian nations — led by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan—followed by Nepal, Belarus, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and Yemen, according to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for Prisoner Affairs on Aug. 14.

14 August 2025, 07:12 PM

Ukrainian intel: Russia turning Uzbek and Tajik workers into cannon fodder

Russia has ramped up its forced mobilization of Central Asian migrants to fight in its war against Ukraine, luring them with promises of quick cash and short-term contracts — only to send them to their deaths, Ukraine’s military intelligence reported on June 21.

21 June 2025, 01:58 PM

Russia and China to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear plants

The Russian Rosatom state corporation and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) will lead separate consortia to construct Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plants, Reuters reported on June 14.

16 June 2025, 09:55 AM

Russia accuses Kyrgyzstan of unlawful actions against its companies

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has accused Kyrgyzstan of unlawful actions and extortion against Russian companies operating in the country, Russian business outlet Kommersant reported on Jan. 31.

1 February 2025, 01:37 PM

Biosphere Corporation to open new production plant in Uzbekistan next year

Biosphere Corporation, a major Ukrainian household goods manufacturer, plans to open a garbage bag production facility in Uzbekistan next year and expand its presence in Central Asia, CEO Andrii Zdesenko said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine on Dec. 6.

6 December 2024, 01:50 PM

Central Asia