All articles tagged with #kazakhstan
Russia launched Oreshnik ballistic missiles from Kapustin Yar near the closed town of Znamensk in the Ukraine war, with analysts saying the weapons likely carried inert warheads to demonstrate power rather than cause heavy damage; each launch costs roughly $40–80 million, highlighting the dual-use nature of the Kapustin Yar test range and its wider environmental and social impact on nearby Kazakhstan.
Russia and Kazakhstan sealed a $16.5 billion agreement to build the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, led by Rosatom, with an export loan covering about 85% of the cost. The two VVER-1200 Gen III+ reactors are planned at the Balkhash site, construction set to begin in 2027 and the first unit expected online by 2034, aiming to stabilize Kazakhstan’s energy supply and deepen Moscow’s economic and geopolitical influence in the region.
Putin’s Kazakh visit produced mostly rhetoric and few substantive concessions, as Astana safeguarded its autonomy and Moscow’s leverage over labor and transit waned. Moscow then focused on Armenia, signaling Kremlin anxiety over its waning influence in the former Soviet space as Yerevan moves toward the EU and closer to neighbors, a shift that could redraw the South Caucasus balance.
Kazakhstan has offered to store Iran’s 440kg stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% if a US–Iran nuclear deal is reached, a proposal discussed by IAEA head Rafael Grossi after meeting Kazakh leadership. The material is a key sticking point in back-channel talks aimed at reviving an agreement amid regional conflict. Iran maintains its program is peaceful, while the IAEA notes Kazakhstan already hosts a storage mechanism for low-enriched uranium and could safely accommodate the stockpile’s storage. The final disposition of the stockpile would be decided in follow-on negotiations, with some US officials indicating a memorandum of understanding was drafted but not yet approved by President Trump.
Putin will visit Kazakhstan for a three-day trip to press Armenia’s bid to join the EU at a Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union summit, amid Moscow’s opposition and Armenia’s frustration with Russia’s security role. Kremlin advisers say the talks will weigh the consequences of changing bloc ties as about 15 documents on energy, economics and tourism are planned to be signed, with Roscosmos and Rosatom involved and Putin holding bilateral talks with Kazakh leaders.
German prosecutors arrested a Kazakh citizen identified only as Sergej K in Berlin on suspicion of spying for Russia, alleging he had ongoing contact with Russian intelligence since May last year and provided details on German military aid to Ukraine, including drones and robotic systems, plus photos of NATO convoys and Berlin public buildings; he also allegedly offered to recruit other spies. There was no immediate comment from Kazakhstan or Russia. The case fits a string of Moscow-linked espionage activity Germany has reported since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia will suspend Kazakh crude flow through the Druzhba pipeline to the PCK refinery in eastern Germany starting May 1, redirecting volumes via other routes. Rosneft Germany has informed regulators and Moscow confirmed the suspension. German officials say the impact on fuel supply should be limited as the refinery can operate with reduced Kazakh intake and has been replacing Russian crude; the move is linked to current technical capacities and comes amid broader disruption context involving Ukraine-related damage to Druzhba.
South Korea is close to securing crude oil imports from Kazakhstan to diversify its energy supplies as Middle East tensions disrupt shipping; Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said amounts and details could be announced early next week after a high-level visit with presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik; Kazakhstan shipments would take about 50–60 days, similar to shipments from the U.S., and Seoul had already secured a UAE pledge for 24 million barrels last month, underscoring Korea’s heavy dependence on the Middle East (about 70% of oil purchases).
Kazakhstan is holding a referendum to approve a new constitution that would widen the powers of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, signaling a major shift in the country’s political system.
This week’s science highlights include Curiosity’s discovery of spiderweb-like structures on Mars containing tiny egg‑like features, Kazakhstan’s plan to reintroduce tigers by year’s end with a major habitat restoration around Lake Balkhash, and archaeologists’ finding of 2,000‑year‑old skeletons in northern Vietnam showing permanently blackened teeth, a practice tied to ancient beauty trends.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen wins Brazil’s first Winter Olympics medal in the men’s giant slalom, while Mikhail Shaidorov captures Kazakhstan’s first gold in men’s figure skating, marking notable historic firsts for both nations at Milan 2026.
A drone struck the Kazakh-chartered tanker Matilda as it headed to load Kazakh oil at the CPC terminal on Russia’s Black Sea coast; the blast caused an explosion but no serious damage or injuries, and the vessel remains seaworthy, with no claim of responsibility and Ukraine’s stance not disclosed.
Kazakhstan's Tengiz oil field, one of the world's most prolific, has been producing for over 30 years and recently expanded to produce one million barrels a day, with plans to tap into more oil reserves despite uncertainties, involving a $50 billion investment by Chevron and partners.
Kazakhstan has urged Ukraine to cease attacks on the Black Sea oil terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which was damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack, leading to halted exports and concerns over critical infrastructure security.
Kazakhstan's parliament has approved a law banning 'LGBT propaganda' online and in media, with penalties including fines and jail time, reflecting a move to uphold traditional values amid international criticism.