CIS

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated People's Artist of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, artistic director of the "Yalla" ensemble, Farrukh Zakirov, on his 80th birthday. This was reported by the press service of the Kazakh leader. Tokayev awarded Zakirov the Order of Friendship, Second Class, for his significant contribution to the development of culture and musical art, as well as strengthening friendly relations between peoples.

Amendments to Russia's federal law "On the State Border" came into force in April 2026, expanding the powers of the Border Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB). Border guards are now authorized to inspect electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other gadgets, from all individuals entering or leaving Russia.

Foreign ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) adopted a joint statement during a meeting in Moscow, commemorating the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's first space flight. Participants emphasized the significance of this historic event as a common heritage of the CIS member states and reaffirmed their readiness to develop joint programs for the peaceful exploration of space.

Former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, Major General Bekmurod Abdullayev, and six other officials suspected of embezzling over 186 billion soums have been released from custody. This was reported by human rights defender Abdurahmon Tashanov, head of the “Ezgulik” Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan. Official authorities have not yet commented on this information.

Since April 13, Russian and Ukrainian citizens who relocated to Kazakhstan, including kandases (ethnic Kazakhs living abroad), have begun receiving rejections when applying for residence permits (VNJ). In Telegram chats of relocants, it is noted that almost no one has been able to pass the newly introduced mandatory test on Kazakh language proficiency. Applicants for residence permits report that the migration.enbek.kz website now requires a B2 level instead of the basic A1 level for language knowledge, but no official confirmation of changes to the rules for obtaining residence permits has appeared anywhere.

On the morning of April 17, an explosion occurred in Vladikavkaz, Russia, during the loading of garbage containers. The blast resulted in the death of a municipal services worker – a citizen of Uzbekistan. The deceased left behind five children.

Dilshod Tursunkulovich Akhmedov (54), the former head of the Uzbek Metallurgical Plant Joint-Stock Company, has been placed on an international wanted list by Interpol. An official notice has been published on the Interpol website, marking a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against the former high-ranking official.

In Moscow on April 17, a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers will take place, with the participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Representatives from nine countries will attend, with particular focus on cooperation with Central Asian states.

A shooting incident occurred at a National Guard unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan, resulting in the death of a 21-year-old contract serviceman and serious injuries to another soldier. Preliminary reports indicate that the shooting involved the use of standard-issue firearms by one of the servicemen within the military facility. Emergency medical teams responded to the scene, confirming one fatality on-site and transporting the injured soldier to a hospital in critical but stable condition.

Uzbekistan, Tashkent – AN Podrobno.uz. The State Security Service (SSS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has disrupted channels of illegal trafficking of large batches of drugs imported from Afghanistan. During special operations in the Khorezm region, nearly 9 kilograms of opium were seized.

During an official visit by a delegation from Uzbekistan's Kashkadarya region to Belarus, negotiations were held and agreements were reached. The delegation familiarized itself with the operations of livestock complexes and trade facilities in the Braslav, Shumilin, and Postav districts of the Vitebsk region. Meetings with regional leadership discussed expanding economic cooperation and establishing joint production chains.

In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministries of Russia and Azerbaijan, it was announced that the consequences of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane crash in December 2024 have been "properly settled." The document states that the aircraft crashed as a result of "accidental action by an air defense system on Russian territory," and the issue of compensation has been resolved, although specific amounts were not disclosed.