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Kazakh 'Yurt Of Invincibility' In Ukraine's Bucha Sparks Moscow-Astana Tensions

A volunteer cooks Kazakh bread outside an initiative dubbed the "Yurt of Invincibility" organized by representatives of the Kazakh diaspora in Ukraine in the town of Bucha.
A volunteer cooks Kazakh bread outside an initiative dubbed the "Yurt of Invincibility" organized by representatives of the Kazakh diaspora in Ukraine in the town of Bucha.

ASTANA -- Moscow has demanded an explanation from the Kazakh government regarding the appearance of a so-called Kazakh "Yurt Of Invincibility" in Bucha, a town north of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to assist local residents in need as the country struggles with power cuts caused by Russian air strikes targeting energy infrastructure.

The yurt, a traditional round tent used by the nomads of Central Asia's steppes, consists of a wooden frame covered with felt. One the Kazakh government says was set up through private funding appeared in Bucha earlier this week, where local residents are able to get free traditional Kazakh food and tea and charge their electronic devices.

'Yurt Of Invincibility': Kazakh Community In Ukraine Warms The Hearts Of Bucha Residents

Modeled on the Ukrainian "points of invincibility" -- an emergency program that provides autonomous heating and electricity hubs at centers during blackouts -- the Kazakh community's "Yurt of Invincibility" in Bucha, a town just north of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, will provide the same services to those in need as the country struggles with power cuts.
1/8 Modeled on the Ukrainian "points of invincibility" -- an emergency program that provides autonomous heating and electricity hubs at centers during blackouts -- the Kazakh community's "Yurt of Invincibility" in Bucha, a town just north of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, will provide the same services to those in need as the country struggles with power cuts.
In the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where the energy grid is teetering on the verge of collapse due to repeated Russian attacks, the Kazakh community has found a novel way to allow locals to stay warm and partake in traditional Kazakh sweets.
A Kazakh volunteer prepares dough for baursaki, a traditional Mongolian fried bread that is offered with milk and tea upon the arrival of guests.
2/8 A Kazakh volunteer prepares dough for baursaki, a traditional Mongolian fried bread that is offered with milk and tea upon the arrival of guests.
In the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where the energy grid is teetering on the verge of collapse due to repeated Russian attacks, the Kazakh community has found a novel way to allow locals to stay warm and partake in traditional Kazakh sweets.
The yurt is a traditional round tent used by the nomads of Central Asia's steppes and consists of a wooden frame covered with felt or skins. A total of six yurts are to be set up in different cities across Ukraine.
3/8 The yurt is a traditional round tent used by the nomads of Central Asia's steppes and consists of a wooden frame covered with felt or skins. A total of six yurts are to be set up in different cities across Ukraine.
In the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where the energy grid is teetering on the verge of collapse due to repeated Russian attacks, the Kazakh community has found a novel way to allow locals to stay warm and partake in traditional Kazakh sweets.
Dressed in traditional attire,&nbsp;a Kazakh man stands next to the flags of Ukraine and Kazakhstan before welcoming residents of Bucha. Inhabitants of the city endured a brief but brutal occupation by Russian forces at the start of the invasion.<br /> <br /> The Russian Army is accused of committing multiple war crimes in Bucha during the early weeks of the war before the town was retaken by Ukrainian forces.
4/8 Dressed in traditional attire, a Kazakh man stands next to the flags of Ukraine and Kazakhstan before welcoming residents of Bucha. Inhabitants of the city endured a brief but brutal occupation by Russian forces at the start of the invasion.

The Russian Army is accused of committing multiple war crimes in Bucha during the early weeks of the war before the town was retaken by Ukrainian forces.
In the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where the energy grid is teetering on the verge of collapse due to repeated Russian attacks, the Kazakh community has found a novel way to allow locals to stay warm and partake in traditional Kazakh sweets.
5/8
In the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where the energy grid is teetering on the verge of collapse due to repeated Russian attacks, the Kazakh community has found a novel way to allow locals to stay warm and partake in traditional Kazakh sweets.
Members of the public help themselves to free baursaki, milk, tea, coffee, and cookies as they take the opportunity to warm themselves inside the unique enclosure.
6/8 Members of the public help themselves to free baursaki, milk, tea, coffee, and cookies as they take the opportunity to warm themselves inside the unique enclosure.
In the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where the energy grid is teetering on the verge of collapse due to repeated Russian attacks, the Kazakh community has found a novel way to allow locals to stay warm and partake in traditional Kazakh sweets.
Ukrainian media reports that the &quot;Yurt of Invincibility&ldquo; was supported by citizens of Kazakhstan and by the Kazakh Embassy in Ukraine.
7/8 Ukrainian media reports that the "Yurt of Invincibility“ was supported by citizens of Kazakhstan and by the Kazakh Embassy in Ukraine.
In the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where the energy grid is teetering on the verge of collapse due to repeated Russian attacks, the Kazakh community has found a novel way to allow locals to stay warm and partake in traditional Kazakh sweets.
8/8
In the Ukrainian town of Bucha, where the energy grid is teetering on the verge of collapse due to repeated Russian attacks, the Kazakh community has found a novel way to allow locals to stay warm and partake in traditional Kazakh sweets.
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on January 10 that although Moscow "was assured that the information" about the yurt in Bucha is "false," Russia expects an official explanation from Astana regarding the matter "to avoid damaging the Russia-Kazakhstan strategic partnership and alliance."

On January 11, in response to a question from an RFE/RL correspondent at a briefing in Astana, Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said there was "nothing to explain."

"The yurt was placed there. So, what is the problem? It is there. The help was provided. It is an imitative of private Kazakhstani companies. They organized it, transported it, and are providing the assistance. The situation in Ukraine is obviously complicated. Maybe for some the information [about the yurt] looks different. However, we do not see any problem here," Smadiyarov said.

Bucha residents endured a brief but brutal occupation by Russian armed forces at the start of the unprovoked invasion launched in February last year.

Russian troops have been accused of committing multiple war crimes in the town during the early weeks of the war before Ukrainian forces retook the area.

Kazakh businessmen and the Kazakh diaspora in Ukraine have said they plan to set up more yurts across the country.

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