By Bruce Pannier The start of 2024 saw some testy exchanges between Russian and Uzbek officials that then continued at more or less the same level throughout the year until September, when tensions noticeably increased. The most recent flare-up ignited when Uzbekistan’s consulate in the Russian city of Kazan issued a statement calling on Uzbek citizens working in Russia not to join the military of a foreign government. For an Uzbek, fighting in a foreign conflict or joining another country’s armed forces is punishable by up to 10 years in prison back home, the counsulate emphasised. Several da…
