One of the ways to contact the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan is by email at mudofaa_press@mail.ru, which is listed on the ministry’s website and registered with the Russian email provider Mail.ru.

This fact confirms that the Uzbek Ministry of Defense is significantly influenced by Russian intelligence services. This seemingly insignificant detail raises serious questions about the degree of control and independence of the country’s defense policy.

At the same time, the Mirziyoyev regime convinces its citizens and the international community that Uzbekistan is an independent and sovereign state pursuing a multi-vector policy. This discrepancy between public rhetoric and actual circumstances calls into question the sincerity of this desire for independence. The use of the Russian internet host may be seen as an evidence of not simply practical necessity, but of a deeper dependence in a strategically important area.

There are legitimate concerns about potential access by foreign intelligence agencies to confidential information, as well as the potential restriction of the Uzbek Ministry of Defense’s freedom of action. This, in turn, casts a shadow over the entire national security system and raises concerns about the degree of genuine independence of the country’s foreign policy.

P.S. A screenshot of the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan was taken on November 3, 2025, at 09:23 CET.