Military - The Times Of Central Asia

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U.S. Veterans Exposed to Toxic Chemicals at K2 Uzbek Base Still Waiting for Recognition

After the 9/11 attacks, thousands of U.S. troops were deployed to Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2) in Uzbekistan in support of operations in Afghanistan. But what many service members didn’t know at the time was that they were entering a highly contaminated environment. K2, a former Soviet military facility, was riddled with toxic substances. Matthew “Nick” Nicholls, a U.S. Army environmental technician who was part of the initial assessment team, described the site to Fox News Digital as “probably the most toxic soup of chemicals that any service member has ever been exposed to.” Nicholls reported that yellowcake uranium leaked from the ground, while jet fuel and other hazardous chemicals permeated the air and soil. Toxic fumes and dust surrounded the base. His team recommended safety measures such as gravel coverage and restricted exposure times in certain zones. While some precautions were implemented, others were ignored. Today, many of the veterans who served at K2 are battling serious health conditions, including rare forms of cancer and debilitating joint issues. Some have died young. “These are not the cancers that young people normally get,” Nicholls said. “People I served with are dying.” Between 2001 and 2005, more than 15,000 U.S. troops and thousands of contractors passed through K2. Many now face difficulties receiving adequate medical care or recognition from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Although the VA has acknowledged exposure risks, it maintains that available studies do not definitively link K2 service to the illnesses reported. However, U.S. lawmakers are pressing for action. Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) has criticized the Pentagon for neglecting early warnings and underestimating the risks. Alongside Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Green introduced a provision in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act mandating a study into toxic exposure at K2. Nearly four years later, the study remains incomplete. “This is unjust,” Green told Fox News Digital. “The Pentagon ignored the health and safety of our service members.” Green has renewed calls for the Department of Defense to complete its report, stating that veterans continue to wait for answers. While the Pentagon has pledged a private response, veterans and advocates demand public accountability. In 2024, the VA relaxed eligibility requirements for K2-related disability benefits. But Green argues that this is insufficient. He has proposed additional legislation to ensure that medical conditions linked to toxic exposure at K2 are formally recognized by the VA. “These veterans served their country with honor,” Green said. “Now it’s time for the country to stand by them.”

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Kyrgyzstan to Unveil New Air Defense Systems at Military Parade

During recent rehearsals in the town of Tokmok, local residents spotted modern Tor-M2KM air defense systems mounted on KamAZ trucks, marking the first public appearance of these advanced missile systems in Kyrgyzstan’s arsenal. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan, the country's Victory Day military parade will be held on May 8 in Ala-Too Square in Bishkek. More than 120 military and special-purpose vehicles, including artillery, armored vehicles, and air defense systems, will participate in the event, alongside 8,000 service personnel. The aerial portion of the parade will feature flyovers by both Kyrgyz and Russian aircraft, with the latter based at the Kant airbase. “The technical component of the parade will feature the most modern equipment acquired through the national budget,” the Defense Ministry stated. “For the first time, Tor-M2KM and Pechora-2BM missile systems, as well as S-300PS long-range surface-to-air missile launchers, will be on display in Ala-Too Square.” Residents of Tokmok were the first to capture images of the Tor-M2KM systems during rehearsals. The system, known for its short-range effectiveness, is designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. The units were painted in the camouflage colors of the Kyrgyz armed forces, indicating their official deployment. Notably, the appearance of the S-300PS systems comes just days after their reported transfer from the Russian armed forces to Kyrgyzstan. These long-range missile systems are designed to provide strategic air defense coverage. The upcoming parade is expected to highlight the rapid modernization of Kyrgyzstan’s military capabilities and will be closely watched both domestically and by regional observers.

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Kyrgyz Special Forces Showcase Combat Drone Capabilities in Anti-Terror Exercise

Kyrgyzstan’s elite State Committee for National Security (GKNB) special forces unit, Alpha, demonstrated advanced combat capabilities during the Asman Kozomolu 2025 anti-terrorist exercises, held to enhance operational readiness in modern warfare scenarios. According to the GKNB, the drills featured the use of cutting-edge weaponry, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), first-person view (FPV) drones, and robotic ground systems. The exercises aimed to sharpen the operational skills of personnel in deploying modern combat technologies under conditions simulating real combat. “In conditions close to combat, critical capabilities of modern combat robotics and UAVs were demonstrated, along with the process of manufacturing FPV drones,” the committee stated. A key component of the drill involved storming a simulated administrative building using a ground-based combat robot, followed by a coordinated assault by special forces. The unit also rehearsed neutralizing enemy vehicles using kamikaze ground drones and attack drones equipped with shaped-charge munitions. Additionally, operators practiced deploying FPV drones with varying payload-release mechanisms. GKNB Chairman Kamchybek Tashiev attended the exercise and participated in sniper shooting drills. Addressing the forces, he emphasized the government’s commitment to equipping military and security units with state-of-the-art logistics and weaponry to counter emerging threats. Kyrgyzstan initiated its drone program in late 2021, acquiring Turkish-made Bayraktar drones during heightened tensions along the Tajik border. Since then, the country has expanded its drone arsenal to include Russian Orlan-10 UAVs. In 2022, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated its first drone base, and by 2024, it had unveiled its first domestically produced drone at an industrial exhibition attended by President Sadyr Japarov.

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Belarus and Kazakhstan Strengthen Military Cooperation

The Defense Ministries of Belarus and Kazakhstan have made strides to deepen their military cooperation. This was confirmed during an official visit to Kazakhstan by the Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces and First Deputy Defense Minister, Pavel Muraveiko. Muraveiko held negotiations with Kazakhstan's Defense Minister, Ruslan Zhaksylykov, and Lieutenant General Sultan Kamaletdinov, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of Kazakhstan's Armed Forces. The discussions focused on the current state of military collaboration, with both sides identifying paths to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both Belarusian and Kazakhstani representatives reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening relations and noted the momentum of their defense sector cooperation. Significant emphasis was placed on exploring mutually beneficial projects and enhancing military capabilities via the exchange of knowledge. Muraveiko's visit also included a tour of key military institutions in Kazakhstan, namely the National Defense University and the Center for Military-Strategic Research. The visit follows a major diplomatic spat in August 2024, when Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Belarusian Ambassador following critical comments made by the Belarusian President. Lukashenko's remarks on Kazakhstan’s reliance on Russia for support, alongside perceived criticism of its foreign policy, sparked a rebuke from Kazakhstan, which emphasized its balanced, peaceful approach and adherence to international norms. The incident reflected broader post-Soviet frictions, with both nations historically sharing close ties through regional bodies like the EAEU and CIS. Further complicating matters, Lukashenko's comments at the time also antagonized Armenia, leading to protests at the Belarusian Embassy in Yerevan, and underscoring regional discord.

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Uzbekistan’s New Emphasis on the Military

Uzbekistan has become Central Asia’s leader in terms of military spending. This raises some questions about why Uzbekistan has boosted its military spending, but it should also get the attention of Uzbekistan’s Central Asian neighbors. According to Global Firepower’s 2025 Military Strength ranking, Uzbekistan’s defense budget was a little more than $2.8 billion, ahead of Kazakhstan which spent just over $2 billion. Kazakhstan still ranked ahead of Uzbekistan in overall military strength, 57th and 58th, respectively, but in 2024, Global Firepower ranked Kazakhstan 58th and Uzbekistan 65th. Voice of America noted in a July 2024 report that military spending was generally increasing across Central Asia, a "development officials link to regional conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.” Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan boosted their military spending after they fought brief but destructive battles against each at the end of April 2021, and again in mid-September 2022. In March 2023, Kamchybek Tashiyev, the head of Kyrgyzstan’s security service, said that since the 2021 conflict, his country had spent some $1 billion on military equipment, including military drones from Turkey. Global Firepower's 2025 report stated that Kyrgyzstan spent $221.8 million and Tajikistan $446 million on defense in 2024. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are the poorest countries in Central Asia. Where is the Threat? Uzbekistan and more broadly Central Asia’s increase in defense spending raise the question of why is it necessary. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan’s surge in military spending was a reaction to the border conflicts of 2021 and 2022. The root cause of that fighting was disputed territories along their frontier, but this year the two countries finally signed a delimitation agreement and relations have improved. The Central Asian states have legitimate security concerns, most emanating from Afghanistan, though not necessarily from the Taliban. Despite occasional saber-rattling, the Taliban are unlikely to ever try to attack or invade any Central Asian country, and presently most of the Central Asian states have established an amiable business relationship with the Taliban. Militant groups operating in Afghanistan are the major concern. These groups based in Afghanistan are the main threats to the Central Asian governments and require the Central Asian states to develop counter-terrorism capabilities, something they have been doing since the late 1990s. The anti-aircraft systems and missiles the Central Asian states, including Uzbekistan, are purchasing are ill-suited to counter-terrorism operations. The timing of the significant increase in military spending came not long after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022. Several Russian politicians and political commentators have spoken of reclaiming part of all of Kazakhstan in particular, but Uzbekistan has also been mentioned lately. It would be understandable for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to bolster their defenses in case the day comes when Russia looks to forcibly reincorporate Central Asia back into its empire. But Russia is listed second on Global Firepower’s ranking of military powers and the country’s defense budget in 2024 was some $126 billion. Without outside assistance, it is unlikely Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan could hold out for long against...

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One Military Alliance (CSTO) Monitors Woes of Another (NATO)

A “zombie” alliance, one Western analysis said. A “paper tiger,” said another. The Collective Security Treaty Organization, a regional group of post-Soviet states that includes Russia and several countries in Central Asia, has come in for some harsh criticism over the years because of perceptions that it is ineffective. Now, the CSTO, described in some circles as a smaller, Russia-dominated counterweight to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is closely monitoring a widening split in the NATO security alliance between the United States and Europe. It’s a stunning turnaround that raises questions on both sides about whether and to what extent countries would honor alliance obligations as U.S. President Donald Trump shakes up the global order. While he pushes Ukraine to make a peace deal with Russia, Europe is pledging more support for Ukraine, and deadly fighting continues after three years of war. Overnight, Russia attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure with drones and missiles, officials in Ukraine said Friday. The Collective Security Treaty Organization has appeared to struggle for cohesion and purpose at times. Its members are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. While Belarus is loyal to Russia, Armenia has frozen its participation in the group because it felt abandoned by Russia during recent military losses to Azerbaijan. None of Russia’s partners in the CSTO have deployed troops to support its war in Ukraine. But a rise in Russia’s military and diplomatic stature, buoyed by perceptions that Trump favors rapprochement with President Vladimir Putin, could inject some momentum into the regional alliance. At the same time, the Central Asian states, at least, are likely to keep a pragmatic course, balancing international relationships and trying to avoid the perception of taking sides. In an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia published on Thursday, CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov was asked about reports that some European countries could send troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force. Tasmagambetov, a former Kazakh prime minister, downplayed the possibility, saying it would create “a dangerous situation on a regional scale” and that the CSTO was following the situation. “In addition, it is unlikely that the population of European countries, tired of the growing negative phenomena in the economy and social sphere, will approve of such a decision by their governments. After all, this will be an additional burden on the shoulders of society, even if these contingents are not involved in offensive operations, but will, for example, perform police or surveillance functions,” he said. “If such risks arise, the CSTO will be ready to offer various options for assistance within the framework provided for in the organization’s statutory documents and, of course, approved by all member states,” Tasmagambetov said. Russia has been blunt on the issue, saying it opposes any arrangement in which European peacekeepers are deployed in Ukraine.