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A Russian-backed media venture has quietly established itself in Kyrgyzstan, raising concerns about the Kremlin’s expanding influence in Central Asian media landscapes. Nomad TV, while presented as a joint Kyrgyz-Russian project, reveals a complex web of connections to Moscow’s propaganda apparatus upon closer examination.
Despite featuring Kyrgyz presenters, the channel operates under predominantly Russian management with direct ties to Margarita Simonyan, the influential editor-in-chief of RT (formerly Russia Today), the Kremlin’s primary international propaganda outlet. The operation is headed by Anna Abakumova, whose background includes reporting for RT in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.
The channel’s Kyrgyz faces, including presenters Svetlana Akmatalieva and Erkin Alymbekov, established a journalism school in 2025 under the auspices of Evrazia, a pro-Kremlin non-governmental organization. This organization has drawn international scrutiny, having been sanctioned by the European Union for alleged interference in Moldovan elections.
Evrazia enjoys significant backing from Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role at Nomad TV, particularly in training the channel’s journalists. The organization’s funding reveals troubling connections to Ilan Shor, a pro-Russian oligarch who fled Moldova to avoid corruption charges.
Shor has reportedly invested $250 million (approximately €210 million) into Evrazia and received public acknowledgment from Simonyan in June 2025 for enabling the organization’s creation. His involvement aligns with what analysts describe as the Kremlin’s broader Eurasianist strategy to maintain influence throughout former Soviet territories.
At Nomad TV’s launch ceremony, Alyona Arshinova—who serves both as chairwoman of Evrazia’s board of directors and as a member of Russia’s Duma (lower house of parliament)—promoted what observers characterized as an imperial vision regarding the Russian language’s role in the region. This rhetoric aligns with Moscow’s broader “Russian world” concept that has been used to justify interventions in neighboring countries.
The channel’s financial structure remains deliberately opaque, according to media freedom watchdogs. Local sources speaking to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) suggest that funding may flow through A7, a Russian company owned by Shor, via Evrazia. In 2025, A7 established a presence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, under the name A7-Kyrgyzstan.
This Kyrgyz branch has drawn international attention following an investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which alleged the company’s involvement in a large-scale financial scheme backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the investigation, this operation aims to circumvent international sanctions imposed on Russia following its military actions in Ukraine.
The emergence of Nomad TV comes against a backdrop of deteriorating press freedom in both countries. In the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index, which evaluates media independence across 180 countries and territories, Kyrgyzstan ranks 144th while Russia sits near the bottom at 171st.
Media analysts note that this development represents a pattern of Russian soft power expansion through information channels across Central Asia, where Moscow has sought to maintain influence amid growing competition from China and Western nations. By establishing media platforms with local faces but Russian editorial control, the Kremlin appears to be crafting narratives tailored to regional audiences while advancing its geopolitical interests.
The channel’s domain name, registered in Saint Petersburg rather than Kyrgyzstan, provides further evidence of its Russian origins despite its local branding, highlighting sophisticated efforts to project local authenticity while maintaining control from Moscow.
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9 Comments
The presence of Nomad TV raises valid questions about Kyrgyzstan’s media independence and susceptibility to foreign interference. While having local faces on the channel may lend an air of credibility, the deeper connections to Moscow are worrying. Kyrgyz citizens deserve access to objective, unbiased news and information.
Absolutely. Kyrgyzstan should strive to protect its media landscape from undue outside influence, regardless of the source. Maintaining a diverse, independent press is essential for a healthy democracy.
This is a concerning development, as Nomad TV’s ties to the Kremlin’s propaganda apparatus could undermine the integrity of Kyrgyzstan’s media environment. The involvement of Evrazia, a sanctioned pro-Russian organization, is particularly troubling. Kyrgyzstan should be vigilant in safeguarding its information space.
It’s disappointing to see Russia trying to leverage local media outlets to spread its propaganda. Kyrgyzstan should be wary of allowing foreign actors to influence its information space, as this can undermine democratic discourse and transparency. Rigorous fact-checking and media literacy efforts are crucial.
The emergence of Nomad TV as a Russian-backed media venture in Kyrgyzstan is a concerning development that warrants close attention. The channel’s ties to Moscow’s propaganda apparatus, despite the use of local presenters, raise valid questions about its true agenda and the potential for undue foreign influence on the country’s information landscape.
While the participation of local Kyrgyz presenters may give Nomad TV a veneer of credibility, the underlying Russian control and influence is deeply problematic. Kyrgyzstan must be proactive in ensuring its media landscape remains free from foreign manipulation and serves the interests of its citizens, not outside powers.
Agreed. Kyrgyzstan should closely scrutinize Nomad TV’s operations and funding sources to ensure transparency and accountability. Allowing Russian propaganda to take root in the country’s media could have far-reaching consequences for its democratic development.
Interesting to see how Russia is trying to expand its media influence in Central Asia. Nomad TV’s ties to the Kremlin’s propaganda machine are concerning, even if they have local Kyrgyz presenters. I wonder how much control Moscow exerts over the channel’s content and agenda.
Agreed, the involvement of Evrazia, a pro-Kremlin NGO, is particularly troubling. This seems like a concerted effort to shape the media landscape in the region to align with Russian interests.