Russia - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 621

Turkmenistan Airlines Extends Suspension of Moscow Flights Until March

Turkmenistan Airlines has extended the suspension of its Ashgabat-Moscow-Ashgabat flights until at least March, the airline confirmed on January 31, according to Interfax. No official reason was provided for the extension. Flights on this route were initially halted at the end of December 2024. At the time, the airline announced that there would be no flights between December 30, 2024, and January 31, 2025, but did not explain their decision. The Russian News Agency TASS has noted that Turkmenistan Airlines previously halted flights to Moscow in August 2023 due to safety concerns. That suspension followed a report from the Russian Defense Ministry stating that a Ukrainian drone had been intercepted in the Moscow region. Interfax, meanwhile, reports that Russia’s S7 Airlines has received approval to operate up to 14 weekly flights between Moscow and Ashgabat. Daily flights began on January 15, making S7 the only airline currently serving this route. In related news, as previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Uzbekistan Airways has adjusted its flight routes to Europe, avoiding Russian and Belarusian airspace. The airline’s press service stated that this decision was based on recommendations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and was not connected to the recent Azerbaijan Airlines crash.

Exploring What’s Behind Iran’s Push in Tajikistan

As Turkey increases its influence among Turkic Central Asian nations, Tajikistan – the only Persian-speaking country in the region – is looking to Iran as a potential strategic partner. Dushanbe is aiming to significantly strengthen bilateral ties with Tehran, hoping that such a move will have a positive impact on its economy; but what are the Islamic Republic’s interests in Tajikistan? On January 15, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian paid an official visit to Dushanbe, where he met with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon. The fact that he led a delegation of the Iranian business community suggests that Tehran plans to increase its economic presence in the landlocked Central Asian state. In 2024, the two nations increased their trade volume by nearly 50% compared to 2023. The problem, however, is that their total trade turnover reached “only” $378 million, which is rather modest compared to the $1,12 billion trade volume achieved by Tajikistan and Russia in the first seven months of 2024. From 1995 to 2013, the Islamic Republic actively invested in the economy of Tajikistan, which led to the construction of the Sangtuda-2 Hydroelectric Power Plant and the tunnel at the Anzob Pass. However, between 2013-2021, economic relations between Tehran and Dushanbe deteriorated significantly. Now, Tajikistan hopes to see more Iranian investments in its economy. "Trade and the economy are among the priority areas of our bilateral relations. We voiced our interest in developing investment cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Rahmon said at a press conference after talks with Pezeshkian. As a result of their summit, Tajikistan and Iran significantly deepened their bilateral ties by signing 23 memoranda of understanding in sectors such as trade, energy, infrastructure, cultural exchange, and security. Since Daler Juma, Tajikistan's Minister of Energy and Water Resources attended the meeting between Tajik and Iranian delegations, it is almost certain that energy was one of the main topics that was discussed. For Dushanbe, it is crucial to secure funding for the completion of the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Istiklol tunnel (also known as the Anzob Tunnel), where the Iranian company Farob is engaged in the construction, as well as a number of small and medium-sized projects. For Tehran, the economic aspect of cooperation with Tajikistan is undoubtedly very important, although it seems to have other ambitions in the Central Asian state as well. “Iran’s primary interest in Tajikistan is related to cultural and religious bonds, as it sees the country as part of its Persian-Iranian-Islamic civilization,” Fereshteh Sadeghi, a Tehran-based journalist who has worked with Iran's Press TV and Al Jazeera English, told The Times of Central Asia. In her view, by maintaining a good political relationship with Dushanbe, the Islamic Republic can significantly strengthen these cultural connections. “Tajiks speak Farsi, love Farsi literature, and are said to be able to recite poems by Persian or Farsi-speaking poets from memory more easily than Iranians themselves can,” she explained, pointing out that religious aspect also plays an important role in Tajik-Iranian relations. Although Tajikistan is...

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Discusses Construction of Three CHP Plants with Russian Participation

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliev, has provided an update on the construction of three combined heat and power (CHP) plants in the Akmola, East Kazakhstan, and Abay regions, projects in which Russia is involved. Russia’s involvement in constructing these cogeneration plants was first announced in 2023 by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Serik Zhumangarin, during a forum on interregional cooperation between the two countries. Subsequently, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy drafted a corresponding government resolution. According to Satkaliev, the feasibility study for the Kokshetau thermal power plant is now in its final stage. “We have started designing. Moreover, in the first stage, on-site preparation and clearing have already begun. We have practically started the construction of auxiliary infrastructure. For the Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk plants, we expect to finalize feasibility studies this spring and will announce the figures later,” the minister stated. Satkaliev stressed that project costs remain a critical issue for Kazakhstan, and negotiations on financing will be conducted under strict conditions. “Samruk-Energo, which represents Kazakhstan in these projects, has been given the necessary instructions. Our primary financing scenario involves a loan from the Russian government with subsidization. Negotiations are ongoing, particularly regarding the amount of financing. Despite limited funding sources, we will take all necessary measures to ensure the timely construction of these plants, given their importance for economic security,” he stated. On January 28, during an expanded government meeting, Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev criticized the authorities' performance in the heat supply sector.

Tajikistan and Russia Discuss Resuming Rail and Bus Routes

Tajikistan and Russia are in discussions to resume passenger train service between Dushanbe and Moscow, as well as bus routes between cities in both countries. These services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tajikistan’s Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrohim, shared this information at a press conference in response to a question from TASS. He said the issue was discussed in Moscow during a meeting between the Tajik delegation and Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit at the CIS Coordination Transport Conference. “We addressed many transport-related issues and reached a full understanding. There were no unresolved matters, but some require time, including the Dushanbe-Moscow railway route,” Ibrohim stated. He added that discussions are ongoing, with a final decision expected soon. The minister also noted that rail service between Bishkek and Moscow resumed late last year. In addition to rail services, Tajikistan and Russia are working to expand bus connections. In mid-January, bus routes from Khujand to Novosibirsk, Tyumen, and Surgut were restored. Currently, passenger trains from Tajikistan — departing from Dushanbe, Kulyab, and Khujand — only operate to Volgograd. If negotiations succeed, the resumption of direct rail and bus links will further facilitate travel and trade between the two countries.

Uzbekistan Airways Reroutes Flights to Europe, Avoiding Russia and Belarus

Uzbekistan Airways has altered its flight routes to Europe, bypassing Russian and Belarusian airspace. The airline’s chairman, Shukhrat Khudoykulov, announced the decision at a press conference on January 28, according to local media reports. Flights are now taking a more southern route through Azerbaijan and Turkey. The change took effect on January 20, 2025. Reason for the Rerouting The airline’s press service told Kun.uz that the decision was made based on a recommendation from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and was not related to the recent Azerbaijan Airlines crash. “This is a recommendation from the European Aviation Safety Agency since we also serve European passengers,” the airline’s statement said. The change comes in the wake of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash on December 25, 2024. The aircraft, which was flying from Baku to the Russian city of Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Of the 67 people on board, 38 died, while 29 survived. Initial reports suggested that a Russian air defense system may have mistakenly shot down the plane during a Ukrainian drone attack on Grozny. A missile reportedly exploded near the aircraft, damaging its fuselage. Kazakhstan, which initially led the investigation, has transferred the case to Brazil’s aviation safety agency (CENIPA). The findings have been sent back to Kazakhstan and are expected to be released soon. Impact on Flight Times and Costs In response to Repost.uz, Uzbekistan Airways clarified that the change was made as a precautionary measure and also to helps optimize flight routes. The rerouting has increased travel distances. For example, the Tashkent-Munich flight, which previously covered 4,849 kilometers when flying through Russia, now spans 5,156 kilometers. This adds 30 to 40 minutes to flight times and raises operational costs for the airline.

Tver Court Convicts Salokhiddin Ashurov for Fraudulent Registrations Linked to Crocus City Hall Terror Case

A court in Tver, Russia, has found Salokhiddin Ashurov guilty of fraudulently registering individuals, including Aminchon and Dilovar Islomov, who are defendants in the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack case. The verdict was reported by RIA Novosti, citing court documents. In April 2024, the Moscow District Court of Tver placed Ashurov in custody for his involvement in the fictitious registration of Russian citizens at his residential address. Among those registered were the Islomov brothers, Dilovar and Aminchon. By the summer, the case was transferred to the interdistrict court, which later forwarded it to a justice of the peace for review. Ashurov was convicted on 14 charges of fraudulent registration of Russian citizens. According to RIA Novosti sources, the Islomov family — comprising father Isroil and sons Dilovar and Aminchon — were implicated in the Crocus City Hall case. The investigation revealed that Dilovar had owned a Renault Symbol vehicle, which the attackers reportedly used to flee the crime scene before being detained in Russia's Bryansk region. Although Dilovar sold the car in February, the insurance policy remained under his name. The Islomov brothers, Russian citizens who lived in Tver and worked as taxi drivers, deny any involvement in the terrorist act. Their father, Isroil, is a Tajik citizen with a Russian residence permit. Initially, the brothers faced charges of committing a terrorist act, but in September 2024, the charges were reduced to aiding and abetting a terrorist act under Part 3 of Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. The Russian Investigative Committee has charged 27 individuals in connection with the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow Region, according to committee chairman Alexander Bastrykin. The case remains one of the highest-profile investigations in recent years, as authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the attack.