During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Kazakhstan, an unexpected incident turned heads in the capital, Astana.
On Wednesday evening, a large LED screen briefly displayed the Ukrainian flag instead of the Russian tricolor.
The screen was quickly turned off, but the images and videos of the flag swap spread rapidly on social media, according to Digi24.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into the incident. Officials are considering all possibilities, including a technical glitch or a cyberattack.
The timing of the event, which occurred during Putin’s state visit, has raised speculation about whether it was accidental or intentional.
Kazakhs Remain Neutral
Putin arrived in Astana on Wednesday afternoon for a state visit and to attend a regional security meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on Thursday.
The CSTO is a military alliance led by Russia and includes Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
While Kazakhstan is considered a close ally of Moscow, public opinion on the Russia-Ukraine conflict within the country is divided.
A poll conducted last year showed that most Kazakhs remain neutral about the war. However, among those who express a preference, support for Ukraine is significantly higher than for Russia.
This has led to further questions about the nature of the flag incident.
The Ukrainian flag’s appearance comes at a time of economic strain in Kazakhstan. Russia is one of Kazakhstan’s most important trading partners, and economic issues in Russia often ripple across the region.
On Thursday, the Kazakh tenge fell to a historic low against the U.S. dollar, following the ruble’s sharp decline.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident, but it has sparked discussions both online and in diplomatic circles.
Whether a mistake or a deliberate act, the brief display of Ukraine’s flag during Putin’s visit has added an unexpected layer of tension to the trip.