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Russia deported more than 54,000 migrants over the first 11 months of 2025

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Russian authorities deported 54,400 labor migrants and foreign nationals in the first 11 months of 2025, Interfax reports, citing official court statistics. The figure represents a decrease of approximately 25,000 compared to the same period in 2024, when 79,000 people were deported.

The report notes that the drop in deportations is linked to a presidential decree that temporarily extended the legal stay of foreign nationals — a measure that expired on September 10, 2025.

It remains unclear how many of the deported individuals were citizens of Tajikistan. Each year, tens of thousands of Tajik nationals travel to Russia for work, but many face administrative pressure and legal uncertainty.

Human rights advocates report that in the past two years, Russian authorities have tightened migration rules, introduced blacklists of undesirable migrants, and increasingly deport foreign workers without clear explanations — developments that have disproportionately affected Central Asian labor migrants.

Notable Central Asian movies of 2025: a year of social themes and artistic exploration

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Central Asian cinema in 2025 demonstrated a broad range of social and artistic narratives, from philosophical dramas to bittersweet comedies.

Filmmakers across the region explored human experience, societal issues, and personal transformation, creating films that resonated locally and internationally.

 

“Fish on the Hook” (Tajikistan — Iran)

The joint Tajik‑Iranian film directed by Muhiddin Muzaffar premiered to critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prix at the second International “Toji Somon” Film Festival in Dushanbe.

Initially shot in 2024, the film reached global audiences in 2025, debuting at Germany’s Schlingel International Film Festival and later in Tehran. It has been selected for upcoming festivals in Bulgaria and Bangladesh.

The story follows a ten‑year‑old Daler, an orphan who embarks on a journey across Tajikistan with the gambler Samad to find his mother. The film blends symbolism and poetic imagery to explore growth, freedom, and dignity.

 

“Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” (Tajikistan — Iran)

Directed by Shahram Mokri and featuring a mixed cast of Tajik and Iranian actors, this film premiered in September in Dushanbe.

It received the Golden Palm Award at the Hainan International Film Festival in China and the “Vision of Asia” prize at the Busan International Film Festival. Plans are underway to submit it for consideration at the Academy Awards.

The narrative centers on a woman whose life changes dramatically after a car accident, underscoring the theme that actions and consequences are intertwined.

 

“Red Dream” (Tajikistan)

Directed by Sohibyor Tolib, “Red Dream” — previously known as “Madman” — premiered in May in Dushanbe.

Featuring leading Tajik actors, the film tells the story of an elderly former Soviet soldier who, following a stay in a psychiatric hospital, becomes obsessed with restoring the Soviet Union. The movie addresses social and psychological issues relevant to contemporary audiences.

 

“Black, Red, Yellow” (Kyrgyzstan)

Directed by Aktan Abdykalykov, this award‑winning film debuted at the Shanghai International Film Festival, where it received the prestigious Golden Cup.

The drama intertwines three lives through themes of love, moral responsibility, and mutual respect. At its heart is Turdigul, a master weaver whose carpets — black, red, and yellow — symbolize different human traits and emotional experiences.

 

“God Forbid” (Kyrgyzstan)

Directed by Erbolot Toygonbayev, this comedy‑drama is the first Kyrgyz film approved by the State Commission on Religious Affairs and the Muftiyat.

The plot follows two thieves who, on the run from police after a robbery, take refuge in a village mosque and impersonate imams — leading to unexpected insights into life and faith.

 

“Patrol: Final Order” (Kazakhstan)

Directed by Rustam Umarov, this comedy continues the story of the popular “Patrol” franchise.

Set in the city of Semey on the eve of a presidential visit, the film follows police officers who strive to prove themselves worthy of a high‑stakes security assignment.

 

“Mullah” (Kazakhstan)

Directed by Abdusaid Shaykhislamogly, this comedy premiered in February. It follows a criminal declared a traitor by his gang who, while on the run, seeks refuge in a mosque.

There, amid isolation and fear, he confronts his past, beliefs, and moral choices.

 

“Arlan: Decisive Round” (Kazakhstan)

Directed by Davlat Jumabayev, this sports drama tells the story of young boxer Arlan, who sacrifices his Olympic dreams to support his ailing brother and enters illegal fights, where he faces the undefeated fighter Nikita Aday.

 

“Chasing Spring” (Uzbekistan)

Directed by Ayub Shahobiddinov, this dramatic film premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival, where it won an award.

The story follows a woman returning home after years of exile, confronting social stigma, painful memories, and personal loss. The film has screened at festivals in China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Canada, and Tajikistan and has been praised for its emotional depth and portrayal of rural life.

 

“Intern” (Uzbekistan)

Directed by Ikbol Melikoziyev, this social comedy depicts life in a regional justice department through the eyes of a young intern. Based on real events and featuring well‑known actors, the film blends humor with meaningful social commentary.

 

Turkmen cinema in 2025

Information on notable films from Turkmenistan in 2025 was not available. In recent years, Turkmen cinema has rarely produced widely recognized works, and data on new projects remains sparse.

Tajik national deported from Germany over suspected attack plot

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A 21-year-old citizen of Tajikistan has been deported from Germany after being detained in December on suspicion of planning an attack targeting crowded public areas.

According to Die Zeit, the man was arrested in the city of Magdeburg and placed in custody over concerns he posed a threat to public safety. German authorities said the alleged plot was linked to his radical religious beliefs.

Officials reported that the young man had undergone a process of radicalization and demonstrated a growing interest in firearms. During his time at a vocational training school, he allegedly engaged in repeated conflicts with fellow students over religious matters.

Mario Schwan, head of the Saxony-Anhalt state police, said there was a “concrete threat” associated with the suspect.

The man had legally entered Germany in June 2024 on an Au Pair visa, citing interest in the German language and culture in his application. He later enrolled in a medical training program at a university clinic in Magdeburg.

Despite the security concerns, the Halle city prosecutor’s office declined to open a criminal case, stating that the suspect’s alleged plans lacked sufficient specificity — there were no clear details about the time, place, or method of a potential attack. Germany’s federal prosecutor also chose not to pursue charges.

Following his arrest, the German Interior Ministry explored the option of voluntary departure. The man ultimately agreed to leave the country and was deported to Tajikistan.

Man arrested in southern Tajikistan on suspicion of killing former wife

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Law enforcement authorities in Tajikistan have arrested a 28-year-old man in the Muminobod district of Khatlon province on suspicion of killing his former wife, reportedly driven by jealousy and personal hostility.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the suspect, identified as Navrouz Zafar, is a resident of the village of Ghesh in Khatlon’s Muminobod district. The reportedly incident occurred on December 16, 2025, about a week after the couple had divorced. The Interior Ministry disclosed details of the case in a televised report broadcast on December 31.

Investigators say the suspect went to the home of his former father-in-law, where he argued with his ex-wife, 27-year-old Javharbi Davlatsho, a mother of two. Authorities allege that the dispute escalated into violence.

“The suspect, after verbally abusing his former wife, stabbed her 11 times with a household knife, deliberately targeting vital organs,” the Interior Ministry said. “The victim died at the scene from her injuries.”

Following the attack, Zafar reportedly fled the scene but was later detained within the district. In the televised report, he confessed to the killing, though it remains unclear under what circumstances the confession was recorded.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against him under Article 104, Part 2, Clause “e” of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code, which covers aggravated murder. If convicted, the suspect faces a sentence ranging from 15 years in prison to life imprisonment.

 

A broader pattern of domestic violence

The killing is not an isolated case. On December 12 last year, authorities reported the arrest of a man in the Mir Said Ali Hamadoni district of Khalton province who was suspected of beating his wife to death on December 5 using fists, kicks, and a wooden stick.

Tajikistan does not publish separate official statistics on spousal killings. However, Bunafsha Fayziddinzoda, head of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan, stated at a press conference in February last year that 3,246 crimes against women and girls were recorded nationwide in 2024.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 28 cases of murder and attempted murder were registered in Tajikistan during the first six months of 2025. It remains unclear how many of these involved domestic or spousal violence.

The case has once again drawn attention to the issue of domestic violence in the country, as rights advocates continue to call for stronger prevention measures and better protection for women at risk.

New logistics center planned on Tajik-Uzbek border

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The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport, and the Center for Public-Private Partnership Project Implementation have launched work on a feasibility study for a new logistics center to be built on the Tajik-Uzbek border.

According to the state-run news agency Khovar, the tripartite technical assistance agreement was signed in Dushanbe. The EDB Technical Assistance Fund will finance the feasibility study and assess the project's overall viability.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Ms. Shoista Saidmurodzoda, highlighted that this is the first infrastructure project in Tajikistan’s transport sector to be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) mechanism.

Vladimir Yakunin, EDB’s Country Director for Tajikistan, emphasized that the project aligns with Tajikistan’s National Logistics Development Program for 2023–2028 and is aimed at modernizing the country’s transport infrastructure. He noted that the feasibility study is a key step toward launching a large-scale initiative that could enhance the efficiency of cross-border trade.

Once the study is complete, the bank will consider financing the construction of the logistics center.

The project is expected to strengthen Tajikistan’s logistics network, improve the investment climate in the transport sector, and support increased regional trade flows.

Previously, authorities also explored the idea of creating a joint Uzbekistan–Tajikistan trade and industrial zone at the Oybek–Fotehobod border crossing.

Tajik diaspora leader in Perm stripped of Russian citizenship, deported

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Saifiddin Odinayev, a prominent figure in the Tajik diaspora in Russia’s Perm region, has been stripped of his Russian citizenship and deported from the country.

Kommersant, citing the Federal Security Service (FSB)’s regional office, says the decision was based on actions deemed to pose a threat to Russia’s national security. Odinayev has also been banned from re-entering the country for 50 years.

Authorities say Odinayev had previously drawn the attention of law enforcement. In April 2014, he was reportedly convicted of robbery involving violence after allegedly assaulting a fellow Tajik and forcibly taking his mobile phone. He was sentenced to 11 months in a general-regime penal colony but served only about three months, including time spent in pretrial detention.

Officials have not disclosed the specific actions that led to the current decision to revoke his citizenship and expel him. Odinayev has not yet made a public statement regarding the case.

This is not the first time a prominent member of the Tajik community in Russia has been deported.

In December 2017, Karomat Sharipov, former head of the now-defunct “Tajik Labor Migrants” movement, was expelled following a court ruling that found him guilty of illegally obtaining Russian citizenship. Sharipov claimed his deportation was politically motivated and linked to his work defending migrant rights.

Karomat Sharipov died of a heart attack on May 9, 2020, in his hometown of Vahdat, Tajikistan.

 

Top transport workers and companies honored in Tajikistan

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Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport has announced the winners of its annual professional competitions, recognizing the best companies and specialists in the transport sector. The awards ceremony was held ahead of the New Year, according to the ministry’s official website.

Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim personally presented the awards to the winners and runners-up in various categories on december 31, 2025, praising their professionalism, high performance, and contributions to the development of the sector.

 

Best Passenger Transport Companies:

Bus services

1.     "Avtobus-1" (Dushanbe)

2.     Asia Group Holding CJSC

3.     "Kulob City Transport" State Enterprise

Minibus services

1.     MNA-32 LLC (Jabbor-Rasoulov district, Sughd province)

2.     “Transport” OJSC (Dushanbe)

3.     “Anvar” LTD (Roudaki district subordinate to the center) and “Najot” LLC (Isfara, Sughd province)

Taxi Services

1.     "Koviyon" LLC (Dushanbe)

2.     "Eco Taxi" LLC (Dushanbe)

3.     "Sayohat" LLC (Khorog, GBAO) and "Umedi Khutalon" LLC (Bokhtar, Khatlon province)

 

Best Freight Companies:

Domestic freight transport

1.     "Orion" LLC (Dushanbe)

2.     “ATP-33” LLC (Bobojon-Ghafourov district, Sughd province)

3.     “ATP-16” LLC (Dousti, Khatlon province)

International freight transport

1.     "Ganji Dunyo" LLC (Dushanbe)

2.     CJSC “Tajik Transport” (Dushanbe)

3.     “Karavan Tajikistan” LLC (Istaravshan, Sughd province)

 

Best Terminals:

Passenger terminals

1.     “Chorbogh” Terminal (Dushanbe)

2.     “Rohi Abreshim” Terminal (Khujand, Sughd province)

3.     “Ramazon” Terminal (Vahdat, city subordinate to the center) and “Somon-2” (Danghara district, Khatlon province)

Freight terminals

1.     “Tajikvneshtrans” CJSC Terminal (Bobojon-Ghafourov district, Sughd province)

2.     “Dusti” Border Terminal (Tursunzoda, city subordinate to the center)

3.     ABBAT Branch (Khujand, Sughd province)

 

Best Logistics Companies:

1.     "Zudlogistic" LLC (Dushanbe)

2.     "Favran Logistic" LLC (Dushanbe)

3.     "Usmon Transport" LLC and "Sughdlogistic" LLC (Bobojon-Ghafourov district, Sughd province)

 

Best Drivers:

1.     Mohrukhsor Gulonova ("Avtobus-1" State Enterprise)

2.     Davlat Sharipov ("Bokhtar Transport Service" State Enterprise)

3.     Shavkat Aliboyev ("Darkhost" LLC) and Havasmo Yatimova ("Trolleybus" State Enterprise)

 

The Ministry also awarded Abdusalom Rajabov, chief engineer at “Bokhtar Transport Service,” for his significant achievements in the development of the road and transport sector and his active role in public life.

Mystery surrounds killings of Chinese workers along Tajik-Afghan border

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Weeks after deadly cross-border attacks claimed the lives of five Chinese workers near the volatile Afghan-Tajik border, uncertainty continues to cloud the circumstances and motivations behind the incidents — raising concerns over regional security and the future of Chinese investment in Central Asia. Two separate attacks occurred on November 26 and 30 in the border areas of Tajikistan. Both incidents reportedly involved militants crossing over from Afghanistan. Five Chinese workers were killed and five others injured. No group has claimed responsibility, and officials in both Afghanistan and Tajikistan have offered limited and sometimes conflicting explanations. Tajik authorities blamed drug traffickers and criminal groups, while the Taliban said two suspects were arrested but provided no details about their identity or nationality. Chinese diplomats in Dushanbe and Kabul swiftly demanded assurances of safety for Chinese nationals. Both the Taliban and Tajik governments promised increased border security, amid fears that further instability could derail Chinese business interests in the region — especially in mining and infrastructure projects.

An article by Mustafa Sarwar, a senior news editor for RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, says relations with China are crucial for both countries.  China is Tajikistan’s largest trading partner and foreign investor, holding over half of Dushanbe’s foreign debt. Meanwhile, the Taliban, isolated under international sanctions, has sought Chinese capital since regaining power in 2021.

 “These incidents raise serious concerns about the ability of both the Taliban and Tajikistan to maintain control and protect foreign investments,” said Edward Lemon, a Central Asia expert at Texas A&M University.

While tensions along the Afghan-Tajik border are not new, recent years have seen increasing Chinese involvement in resource extraction projects in the region — especially along the Panj River, a known drug smuggling route and a hotspot for sporadic clashes between Taliban fighters and Tajik border guards.

A week prior to the first attack, a dispute reportedly broke out between Afghan and Tajik gold miners over attempts to divert the Panj River for mining operations — potentially escalating local tensions. The Shohin SM mining company, where the Chinese workers were employed, is a joint Tajik-Chinese venture active in the area since 2023.

Amid speculation over the perpetrators, multiple militant and extremist groups have been floated as possible culprits, including Islamic State–Khorasan Province (IS-K), the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and Jamaat Ansarullah — a Tajik jihadist group based in Afghanistan.

Lucas Webber, a senior analyst with Tech Against Terrorism, noted that while drug traffickers were initially blamed, their typical focus on secrecy casts doubt on their involvement.

“High-profile attacks don’t align with the operating methods of smugglers, who avoid drawing attention,” he told RFE/RL. “If the target was revenge on Tajik security forces, Chinese workers would not be the logical choice.”

He believes Jamaat Ansarullah presents a more plausible theory. “They fit both the geography and political logic,” Webber said, suggesting the group may have wanted to undermine both the Tajik government and Taliban-China ties without publicly claiming responsibility.

Another possibility, he added, is that local Taliban units or rogue factions carried out the attacks without official sanction — an unsettling prospect for Chinese stakeholders seeking reliable state protection.

In response to the attacks, Chinese embassies in Dushanbe and Kabul urged nationals to leave border regions, and foreign ministers from Tajikistan and the Taliban discussed security cooperation in early December. The Taliban has also indicated plans to form a dedicated military unit to secure mining areas from armed groups operating beyond their control.

At a UN Security Council meeting on December 10, China’s ambassador Fu Cong called on the Taliban to thoroughly investigate the killings and crack down on extremist activity near its border with Tajikistan.

Yet without a clear claim of responsibility, regional authorities remain in a difficult position.

“This ambiguity complicates how Tajikistan, China, and the Taliban can respond,” Webber warned. “Any premature accusation risks political fallout, while continued uncertainty exposes more Chinese workers to danger.”

As the investigation drags on, the attacks threaten to destabilize a region already grappling with criminal networks, militant groups, and a fragile geopolitical balance — with China’s growing footprint now at the center of it all.

Tajikistan to build 300 km of roads in 2026

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Tajikistan will begin construction of 300 kilometers of international and national highways in 2026, with a total investment of 3 billion somoni. The announcement was made by President Emomali Rahmon during his annual address to both chambers of parliament last month. 

The planned road projects include:

·         Vahdat–Obigarm – 70 km

·         Guliston–Kulob – 33 km

·         Khorog–Roshtqala – 39 km

·         Murgab–Kulma – 67 km

·         Baljuvon–Sarikhosor – 55 km

·         Khistovarz–Konibodom – 10 km

·         Bypass road in Kulob – 10 km

The construction plan also includes five new road bridges on the Labidjar–Sangvor route.

The president also instructed the government to take necessary measures to renovate and modernize the international airports in Dushanbe, Bokhtar, and Kulob, stressing the need to “bring the airports in line with modern standards.”

Jobs in Russia: Tajik migrants offered salaries up to 200,000 rubles

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The Representative Office of the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population of Tajikistan in Russia has published a list of available job openings for Tajik migrant workers. Employers across Russia are offering positions with official contracts, housing, and competitive wages.

In Moscow, the company Progress M LLC is hiring bricklayers with a starting salary of 60,000 rubles. The employer provides accommodation, lunch, and full document processing. Contact: Amirkhon Dadayev (+7 965 176 66 66).

The Wagon Repair Depot LLC is offering jobs for welders (from 100,000 rubles) and blacksmiths (from 90,000 rubles) in cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ufa, and Cherepovets. Housing, meals, and document support are provided. Contact: Ozod Tashmatov (+7 963 975 69 70).

In Moscow, the company Local Ecosystem LLC is hiring movers at an hourly rate of 230 rubles, plus 50 rubles per order. Contact: Aleksandr Vodolazsky (+7 937 639 00 04).

In the Moscow region, the company Petromax JSC is recruiting truck drivers with a salary of 80,000 rubles. The employer covers housing, registration, and patent fees. Contact: Aleksandr Vodolazsky (8 937 639 00 04).

In remote regions like Novy Urengoy and Salekhard, entrepreneur Ruslan Khabibulin is offering electricians salaries starting from 200,000 rubles. The company pays for housing, patents, and registration. Contact: Marina Selivanova (8 905 824 23 03).

In Moscow and the surrounding region, UK Alliance LLC is hiring janitors with salaries starting from 80,000 rubles and warehouse workers from 100,000 rubles. Employers provide accommodation, patent processing, and registration. Contact: Kristina Sapronova (8 977 333 03 20).

In the Zuzino district of Moscow, the state-funded utility Zhilishchnik is offering concierge and general labor positions with salaries between 60,000 and 70,000 rubles. Workers are provided with housing, and patent costs are covered. Contact: Anton Poshesholin (8 495 318 86 36).

In Amur Region, Ajax Engineering JSC is offering general laborers a salary starting at 130,000 rubles. The company covers the cost of flights from Tajikistan, accommodation, and all document processing. Contact: Irina Alimova (8 985 892 32 03).

In Moscow, PEK LLC is also hiring warehouse workers with salaries starting from 70,000 rubles. Workers receive accommodation and meals, and the employer covers patent fees. Contacts: Sherkhon (8 977 550 79 41) and Zafar (8 929 603 66 75).

Experts say that the lack of well-paid jobs in Tajikistan is the primary driver of mass labor migration. Currently, around 1 million Tajik citizens are working abroad. Despite many challenges, migrants often find better-paying opportunities overseas than they would at home.

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