During Russian President Vladimir Putin Kazakhstan visit an unexpected display of the Ukrainian flag popped up on a large LED screen in capital, Astana. The Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry is investigating the unexpected occurrence of Ukraine flag in place of Russian flag on Wednesday.
The incident occurred while Putin was in the city, and the screen was quickly turned off. However, videos and images of the flag’s brief appearance quickly spread across social media, sparking significant online attention.
Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry confirmed that it was looking into the matter, considering multiple possibilities, including a technical malfunction or a potential hacker attack. While the authorities work to determine the cause, the incident has raised eyebrows, given the complex relationship between Kazakhstan and Russia.
🇰🇿🇺🇦👀 Ukrainian flag during Putin’s visit to Kazakhstan: hackers broke the LED screen… pic.twitter.com/KsICWp9Y3d
— MAKS 24 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) November 27, 2024
A recent survey revealed that most Kazakhs remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, though a notable portion of the population expressed support for Ukraine, with those backing Russia being in the minority. Kazakhstan has close economic ties to Russia, with Russia being one of its largest trading partners, which often leads to economic ripple effects. On Thursday, Kazakhstan’s tenge currency hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar, partly influenced by the weakening of the Russian rouble.
The appearance of Ukraine’s flag during Putin’s visit is another reminder of the delicate balancing act Kazakhstan faces in managing its relationship with Russia, particularly as the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to affect global and regional geopolitics. The investigation into the flag incident continues as authorities aim to clarify the circumstances behind the controversial display.
