ASTANA – Kazakh authorities are investigating the brief display of Ukraine’s flag on a large LED screen in Astana during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit, Kazakhstan’s interior ministry announced on Thursday.
The incident occurred late Wednesday when the blue-and-yellow flag of Ukraine momentarily replaced the Russian tricolor on a prominent screen along one of Astana’s main streets. Putin was in the city at the time, attending diplomatic events. The screen was swiftly switched off, but not before images and videos of the unexpected display spread widely online.
Kazakhstan’s interior ministry is examining the incident, citing potential causes such as a technical malfunction or a cyberattack. The episode comes amid complicated public sentiment in Kazakhstan regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. While a majority of Kazakhs reportedly maintain a neutral stance, surveys suggest that supporters of Ukraine significantly outnumber those backing Russia.
The incident also coincided with economic ripples from the war affecting Kazakhstan. On Thursday, the Kazakh tenge hit a record low against the U.S. dollar, following a steep decline in the value of the Russian rouble, underscoring the interconnectedness of the two nations’ economies.
This unexpected display is likely to stir discussions both in Kazakhstan and Russia, as Astana continues to navigate its delicate balance of neutrality while maintaining economic and political ties with Moscow.