Kyrgyzstan Launches Nomad TV Channel, Broadcasts Russian Propaganda

Russian-Backed ‘Nomad TV’ Launches in Kyrgyzstan as Information Influence Expands

A new television channel, “Nomad TV,” has begun broadcasting in Kyrgyzstan with explicit ties to Russian state media, according to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD). The center reports that the channel serves as a vehicle for Russian propaganda in Central Asia.

The CCD, operating under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, revealed through its Telegram channel that Nomad TV is officially a joint Kyrgyz-Russian media venture. Initial reports suggesting that former employees of Russian state outlets RT and Sputnik were behind the new brand have now been confirmed through press releases published on Russian state resources.

According to these announcements, Nomad TV openly retransmits programs from NTV, a Russian television network known for its pro-Kremlin stance. NTV itself has publicly celebrated its return to Kyrgyz airwaves through this new platform.

“The launch of this channel under a new brand is clearly designed to bypass international sanctions and distance itself from the toxic reputations of RT and Sputnik,” a CCD statement explained. “While Russia initially tried to keep a low profile during the channel’s development phase, it now openly acknowledges its involvement.”

The preparation of Nomad TV’s staff reportedly involved training through the Eurasia Center, an organization overseen by prominent Russian media figure Margarita Simonyan and sanctioned oligarch Ilan Shor. Simonyan is well-known as the head of RT (formerly Russia Today), a network that has faced restrictions in multiple Western countries for spreading disinformation.

Media analysts point to this development as part of a broader pattern of Russia reinforcing its information influence in Central Asia. As Western sanctions and the ongoing war in Ukraine have diminished Russia’s economic leverage in the region, the Kremlin appears to be pivoting toward media initiatives to maintain influence.

“Against the backdrop of a loss of economic influence in Central Asia, the Kremlin is betting on information penetration. And the new television channel is yet another tool in this Kremlin strategy,” the CCD noted in its assessment.

Central Asia has historically been within Russia’s sphere of influence, but China’s growing economic presence and Western diplomatic outreach have challenged Moscow’s position in recent years. Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic with a population of approximately 6.7 million, maintains significant economic and political ties with Russia, including membership in the Eurasian Economic Union.

The emergence of Nomad TV comes at a time when Russian state media outlets face increasing scrutiny and restrictions globally. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many countries have blocked Russian state media channels, forcing the Kremlin to develop alternative methods of information dissemination.

Media freedom watchdogs have expressed concern about the expansion of Russian media influence in Central Asia, noting that it could potentially undermine independent journalism in the region. Kyrgyzstan has struggled with press freedom issues in recent years, with Reporters Without Borders ranking it 122nd out of 180 countries in its 2022 World Press Freedom Index.

The CCD’s disclosure highlights the ongoing information warfare dimension of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which extends well beyond the physical battleground into media spaces across Eurasia. As Russian state media adapt to international restrictions, the creation of seemingly local or joint ventures appears to be an emerging strategy to maintain audience reach and influence.

For Kyrgyzstan, the launch of Nomad TV raises questions about media sovereignty and the potential influence of foreign narratives on domestic public opinion. Whether this new channel will face any scrutiny from Kyrgyz media regulators remains to be seen.