Author Archives: Marina Kozlova

About Marina Kozlova

Founder and Editor of Yep.uz. 30 years in international journalism (AP, UPI, Interfax, World Politics Review). Born in Tashkent, she lived in Europe for five years and has traveled extensively across Central Asia and the world. Translator, educator, and founder of the "Suhbat" Tashkent Book Club. Amateur chef and connoisseur of home cooking from many countries.

Renovation, Uzbek-style: what the law promises property owners and what it leaves unsaid

Uzbekistan has adopted the law “On Urban Development Renovation,” which is intended to define the procedure for renewing the old housing stock. Authorities say the program will allow the replacement of dilapidated and outdated buildings with modern housing, improve infrastructure, and raise the quality of the urban environment. However, for thousands of property owners the

Uzbekistan Airways cuts flights to Russia due to fuel shortage

Uzbekistan’s national carrier, Uzbekistan Airways, has announced a reduction in flight frequencies on several routes to Russia, citing a shortage of aviation fuel and rising fuel costs. The airline announced the upcoming changes on June 12. According to its statement, the reductions will affect certain routes between cities in Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation. However,

Housing renovation law in Uzbekistan: up to 17,000 pre-1991 buildings may be replaced with new housing

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation of proposals aimed at improving urbanization and upgrading urban development policy. Among the initiatives, particular attention was given to the country’s first law on urban renovation. According to the presentation materials, authorities are considering the renewal of outdated housing stock. It was noted that instead of 17,000 buildings constructed

Rights activist arrested in Kashkadarya region: Ezgulik head claims case was fabricated

Abdurakhmon Tashanov, chairman of the human rights society Ezgulik, has alleged persecution of the organization’s activist Javokhir Muminov, who was arrested in the Kashkadarya region on charges of extortion. Tashanov reported this on his Telegram channel on June 8. According to Tashanov, the criminal case is linked to Muminov’s work defending Jura Akbarov, a resident

Mirziyoyev in St. Petersburg: a nuclear project, trade and a display of alliance amid war

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in St. Petersburg on June 4 to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. His visit comes at a time when the forum no longer attracts the number of world leaders it did before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while

Number of universities in Uzbekistan declines for the first time in years, but student enrollment continues to grow

For the first time in recent years, the number of higher education institutions in Uzbekistan has declined. At the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year, 215 institutions were operating in the country — seven fewer than a year earlier. At the same time, the higher education system continued to grow in terms of student enrollment,

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan sign roadmap for trade and economic cooperation

A ceremony to sign a roadmap for trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan took place in Astana on May 29 in the presence of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. According to statements released by the press services of the two countries, the document outlines practical steps for

Old school photos of Tashkent: September 1 and school life of the last century

September 1 and school in Uzbekistan As in previous years, students and teachers in Uzbekistan will not go to school on September 1 this year because the country celebrates Independence Day. However, you will find photographs here of Tashkent schoolchildren and school classes from fifty years ago and earlier. I grew up in a family