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.

Salaries in Uzbekistan rise 17.4%, but gap between sectors and regions remains stark

The average monthly nominal accrued salary in Uzbekistan reached 6.83 million soums in January–March 2026, up 17.4% compared to the same period last year. The figures were published by the National Statistics Committee in a new press release attached below (in Russian). Salary growth has continued for several consecutive years. According to the agency, the

Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Turkistan: Central Asia between Russia, Turkey and China

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Kazakhstan on May 15 at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. An informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States will be held in the city of Turkistan under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.” Officially, the agenda includes trade, investment, transport, ecology, digital infrastructure, innovation, and artificial intelligence.

Tashkent plans major metro expansion as authorities consider new lines and system-wide reforms

Uzbekistan’s authorities are preparing a major expansion of the Tashkent Metro, including the construction of new lines, shorter train intervals, and changes to the way the system operates. The proposals were presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on May 13, according to the presidential press service. The central focus of the discussion was the further development

Uzbekistan to tighten control over bank transfers and card transactions

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor’s Office have adopted amendments to the rules of internal control in commercial banks, significantly expanding requirements for monitoring money transfers, bank card transactions, and customer identification. The document (in Russian, attached below) was signed on April 15–16, 2026, registered

Uzbekistan expands the role of private medicine: private clinics to be allowed to treat patients with state funds and perform transplants

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree that significantly changes the role of the private sector in the country’s healthcare system. The document allows private clinics to participate in the state medical insurance system, introduces large-scale tax and customs incentives, creates a new investment infrastructure, and gradually transfers part of state functions to private

Soviet heroes on the streets of Tashkent: rare photographs from the 1940s

A unique photograph showing three Heroes of the Soviet Union walking along a central street in Tashkent. One of them may be Qochqor Durdiyev (Turdiyev). I colorized the photographs taken from the Tashkent Retrospective channel using neural networks. I would have chosen different clothing colors myself, but that would have taken much longer. Still, the

Mirziyoyev attends May 9 events in Moscow amid limited presence of foreign leaders

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in events in Moscow on May 9 marking the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. Unlike previous major anniversaries, the number of foreign leaders on Red Square was limited, while the official language used by Moscow and Tashkent once again highlighted differing approaches to the memory of the war.

Mirziyoyev and Putin in the Kremlin emphasize “special” ties amid external pressure

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin on May 8 ahead of events marking the 81st anniversary of Victory in World War II. Judging by statements released by the two presidential press services, Moscow emphasized the political symbolism of allied ties and Tashkent’s personal support, while the Uzbek

President of Uzbekistan departs for Moscow to attend Victory Day events

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed for Russia on a working visit on May 8, 2026. This was reported by the press service of the head of state. The visit program includes participation in ceremonial events in Moscow dedicated to the 81st anniversary of Victory in World War II. Shavkat Mirziyoyev is