Georgia's "friendliness" rating towards Russia increased from 15 to 19. 4 points over the year, according to a study by a Russian institute. The country is now in the category of "Relatively friendly/unfriendly communication regimes."
The European Commission has unveiled its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting energy, financial services, and trade. For the first time, the sanctions include third-country ports – Kulevi (Georgia) and Karimun (Indonesia) – for handling Russian oil exports.
Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov stated that Russia has "lost" Armenia and is "losing" Central Asia. He called for wars against these countries, while the Center for Countering Disinformation records a sharp decrease in the issuance of Russian passports to citizens of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted that the concern about the fabricated attack on Putin's palace is particularly surprising against the background of the absence of reactions from the respective countries to regular and real Russian strikes on civilians in Ukraine.
Russia has almost doubled its exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Central Asia and Afghanistan, reaching 1. 016 million metric tons from January to November 2025. This happened after the EU imposed restrictions on the import of Russian propane and butane in December 2024.
In December, intelligence identified over 150 foreigners from 25 countries recruited into the Russian army, with about 200 more preparing to join. The main sources of recruitment are post-Soviet states and countries of the Global South.
An armed clash occurred on the border between the two countries on December 24, resulting in the deaths of two Tajik officers and several armed men from Afghanistan.
Banks in a number of countries around the world have begun to massively block accounts of Russians and tighten checks on their transactions. This is happening after Russia was included in the list of high-risk countries by the European Commission.
Several countries held talks in Iran, agreeing to deepen coordination and calling for the lifting of sanctions against Kabul. Afghanistan, led by the Taliban movement, refused to participate despite an invitation.
Tajikistan and Russia are negotiating joint patrolling of the border with Afghanistan after attacks that killed five Chinese citizens. Russia may use helicopters to patrol the 1,344-kilometer border.
US President Donald Trump stated that Kazakhstan will join the "Abraham Accords," which entails establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. This step, though symbolic, aims to give impetus to the agreements, which have been paused due to the war in Gaza.
At least 12 people have died and about 150 were injured in a 6. 3 magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan. The tremors were also felt in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
A 6. 3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, also felt in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. According to USGS estimates, the earthquake could cause hundreds of casualties, and the USGS PAGER system has issued an orange alert.
Glaciers in the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan, are stable and even growing, while most of the world's glaciers are melting. European scientists are investigating this phenomenon, known as the Karakoram Anomaly, to find ways to protect glaciers globally.
The number of people willing to move to the Russian Federation under the voluntary resettlement program has decreased threefold to 12. 5 thousand people in 2025, which is the lowest figure in 14 years. The main reason for the decline in interest is the fear of forced mobilization and deteriorating living conditions.
Vladimir Putin met with Ilham Aliyev for the first time in a year, discussing the crash of an AZAL plane that crashed in Kazakhstan after Russian air defense operations. Putin stated that two missiles exploded a few meters from the plane, not hitting it directly.
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly has begun in New York and will last until September 29. It will bring together about a hundred presidents and over 40 prime ministers to discuss global challenges and strengthen international cooperation.
An international criminal organization has been exposed in Ukraine that, under the guise of "legal assistance," defrauded over 4,500 citizens of Europe and Central Asia. The damages caused exceed UAH 186 million, and nine participants have been notified of suspicion.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that the final declaration of the SCO summit does not mention Russian aggression against Ukraine, unlike other conflicts. This indicates the failure of Moscow's diplomatic efforts, according to the ministry.
More than 2,000 military personnel from five CSTO countries are taking part in exercises in Belarus. 450 units of equipment are involved, including aviation and drones.
Migrants from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan in Russia face discrimination, violence, and forced conscription into the Russian army. After the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, pressure on foreigners increased, despite the labor shortage in the country.
China accused the US of "threatening world peace" ahead of the SCO summit, to which Washington was not invited. Putin, Modi, and Erdogan are expected at the meeting.
Vladimir Putin is holding numerous telephone conversations with world leaders. This is happening against the backdrop of Donald Trump's meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
President Zelenskyy enacted the NSDC decision on synchronizing sanctions between Ukraine and key partners. Ukraine has 100% synchronized the US sanctions for 2025, which concern Russia's energy and military-industrial complex.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry called reports of Pakistanis' participation in the war in Ukraine baseless. The government will discuss this issue with the Ukrainian authorities and request clarification.
President Zelenskyy recorded the participation of mercenaries from China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and African countries in the battles in the Vovchansk direction. The information was provided by commanders during the President's visit.
President Zelenskyy met with soldiers of the 57th brigade in the Vovchansk direction, discussed the situation, and presented awards. The soldiers report the participation of mercenaries from Asia and Africa.
Fugitive businessman Serhiy Kurchenko and a number of high-ranking Russian officials have been served with a notice of suspicion for appropriating Ukrainian enterprises in the occupied territories. From 2017 to 2021, they exported products worth over 55 billion hryvnias to Russia and other countries.
More than 500 foreigners from 28 countries have died at the front in Russia's war against Ukraine. Among them, the majority are citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, many of whom ended up at the front from Russian penal colonies.
Russia forcibly recruits Central Asian citizens, using promises of easy money and short-term contracts, to send them to the most dangerous sections of the front. Most of these "volunteers" die, and those who survive face criminal prosecution in their homeland.
