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.

Treaty on Eternal Friendship: Why Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Tashkent could mark a new chapter in Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations

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Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on August 23, 2026

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan elevated their bilateral relations to a new level on August 23 by signing a Treaty on Eternal Friendship. At the same time, the two sides signed a package of agreements covering trade, investment, culture, tourism, and social security, aimed at the long-term development of bilateral relations. The Treaty on Eternal Friendship was …

Uzbekistan announces 2026/2027 academic year start dates for school and university students

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An empty classroom prepared to welcome students, photo from the Telegram channel of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Preschool and School Education

The new 2026/2027 academic year at schools, academic lyceums and technical schools in Uzbekistan will begin on September 2, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation said. Classes at all general education schools across the country will start on Wednesday, September 2. The academic year at …

Zakharova criticizes Hakimov’s opponent after Tashkent court verdict

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Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova’s statement on the case of Uzbek blogger Aziz Hakimov showed that the verdict handed down in Tashkent remains a matter of attention for Moscow even after the completion of the trial at the court of first instance. While in July Russian diplomacy limited itself to calls for a “fair …

Uzbekistan has one-third more schools and nearly half more students: How the education system has changed since independence

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Number of schoolchildren in Uzbekistan by year

The number of schoolchildren in Uzbekistan is growing faster than school infrastructure. Over the past 35 years, the number of students in general education schools has increased by 2.12 million, or 45.6%, while the number of schools has grown by only 30%. As a result, there are now about 619 students per school on average, …

China strengthens its lead as deficit widens: what Uzbekistan’s foreign trade reveals in the first half of 2026

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Foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan in January–June 2024–2026

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover reached $41 billion in the first half of 2026, up 7.4% year-on-year. Imports rose by 21% to $25.1 billion, while exports fell to $15.9 billion, causing the trade deficit to widen to $9.3 billion.China remains Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner and its main source of imports, accounting for about 32% of all …

Legendary Uzbek boxer Rufat Riskiyev dies at 76

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Boxer Rufat Riskiyev dies

Rufat Riskiyev, the legendary Uzbek boxer, world champion, and silver medalist at the 1976 Olympic Games, has died at the age of 76. His death was announced by the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan. Riskiyev (also spelled Risqiyev), known as the “Tashkent Tiger,” is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history …

Lifetime immunity and the Security Council: What the new law on Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration changes

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Saida Mirziyoyeva and Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, March 2026

Uzbekistan has adopted the Constitutional Law “On the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan,” which for the first time comprehensively defines the status, powers, and structure of one of the country’s key state institutions. The document signed by the president does more than describe the functions of the Presidential Administration. It turns the Administration …

Aziz Hakimov sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison by Tashkent district court (updated)

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Aziz Hakimov. Screenshot from a video on the Comrade Aziz YouTube channel

The Shaykhantakhur District Criminal Court of Tashkent has convicted blogger Aziz Hakimov, known online as Comrade Aziz. The court found him guilty of inciting national hatred, defamation and insult, sentencing him to four years and two months of imprisonment. The information was announced on August 11 by Hakimov’s lawyer, Sergey Mayorov, following the verdict. According …

Eight Uzbek citizens killed in drone attack on Nizhnekamsk (Updated)

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Smoke over Nizhnekamsk after a drone attack on August 10, 2026. Photo: t.me/sotavisionmedia

According to the latest information, eight citizens of Uzbekistan were among those killed in a drone attack on facilities in Nizhnekamsk (Tatarstan, Russia) on August 10. Earlier, Uzbekistan’s Consulate General in Kazan reported seven fatalities. According to law enforcement authorities in Tatarstan, 13 people were killed. “Unfortunately, seven citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan (A.D.K., …

Gas exports fall, energy imports rise: what Uzbekistan’s trade data reveal about gas, oil and fuel

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Uzbekistan and foreign gas trade in the first six months of 2025 and 2026

Despite continuing exports of natural gas, petroleum products and electricity, Uzbekistan is becoming increasingly dependent on imported energy resources. Foreign trade statistics for the first half of 2026 show that the country’s spending on imported gas, oil, gasoline, coal and electricity was nearly three times higher than its export earnings from these resources. This trend …