Ukraine official tweets ‘Did warn you’ after drone attack in Iran

Some reports say Israel behind mission. Kyiv has previously warned Tehran there could be payback for its provision of kamikaze drones to Russia.

Gunman storms Azerbaijan’s Tehran embassy, kills head of security

Video shows attacker breaking into guard post armed with Kalashnikov assault rifle. Baku not happy with Tehran's explanation of events.

Anglo-Russian Polymetal looks at switching listing from London to Kazakhstan

Move might enable gold and silver miner to carve out its Russian business.

EU authorises another monitoring mission to Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Civilian mission marks a new phase in the EU's engagement in the South Caucasus.

McOpen: Closed McDonald’s outlets in Kazakhstan relaunched with no name

Restaurants that closed after sanctions on Russia hit supply chain are back in business with no brand on the door.

15 Armenian conscripts die in fire at military barracks

Fire broke out after one of the officers at the unit used a large amount of petrol to start a fire in a woodstove heating the barracks.

Reports say Russia offered Uzbekistan gas deal but wanted Gazprom to take over country’s transmission system

Word of rejected proposal comes as many Uzbeks shiver with no gas amid big winter freeze.

Kazakhstan closing loophole permitting Russians escaping Ukraine war call-up to stay indefinitely

Continuous ‘three-month visa runs” no longer possible for draft dodgers from next week.

Kazakhstan to send oil to Germany via Russian pipeline

It plans to export 1.5mn tonnes of crude this way in 2023.

Uzbek president fires Tashkent mayor for ‘empty words’ as energy shortages hit city amid big freeze

Jahangir Artykhodjayev reportedly detained at airport trying to leave country. Prosecutor General's Office ordered to examine officials’ lack of preparation for severe cold.

Tehran expects Russia to deliver Su-35 fighters in two months says Iranian MP

Analyst has warned “ambitious barter” in return for Iranian drones and probably missiles “manifests a grim calculus for the West”. It is facing a “more aggressive and hostile axis than ever”.

EBRD invests record €13.1bn into its region in 2022

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development invested a record €13.1bn into its Emerging Europe and Eurasia region in 2022, the bank announced on January 12.

Uzbekistan fights gloom as stock market fails to spark

Endures 2022 without IPO, fails to attract enough domestic and foreign capital.

Police raid on home of Mongolian rail official said to discover $2mn of cash in four currencies

Investigators probe money laundering, tax evasion, unjustified enrichment and bribery allegations.

Eurasian Development Bank council agrees to reduce Russia’s stake - document

Russia will lose its majority stake in the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) after the council of the Kazakhstan-based bank approved a redistribution of member states’ shares, according to a document seen by bne IntelliNews.

McDonald’s ‘set to abandon’ Kazakhstan amid Russia sanctions impact on supplies

Franchisee banned by US parent corporation from purchasing Russian meat supplies. Alternative sourcing would apparently mean running business at a loss.

US continues to promote direct dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Kyrgyzstan presses ahead with prosecution of border deal critics despite hunger strike

Making an example of group looks like attempt to put indefinite end to Kyrgyzstan’s periodic cycle of extra-parliamentary regime changes.

Belarus Corruption Watch: How companies in Central Asia help Belarus bypass Western sanctions

In a recent investigation, the Belarusian Investigative Centre has detailed how Belarusian wood working suppliers use Central Asian countries to circumvent EU sanctions.

Britain reportedly to designate Iran’s IRGC as terrorist

Move appears to be response to arrest by Iranian regime of seven people with links to UK amid anti-government protests.