**Uzbek Airlines Change Routes to Avoid Russia and Belarus**
The Uzbek news outlet Repost reported on January 28 that Uzbekistan Airways has changed its flight routes when flying to Europe. The change is a “precautionary measure” to avoid Russian and Belarusian airspace.
This comes after an Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan last month. Baku said the plane was hit by Russian air defenses, killing 38 people on board. Uzbekistan Airways claims the route change has nothing to do with this incident.
Since January 20, Uzbekistan Airways’ planes now fly over Azerbaijan and Turkey when heading west. The airline says it is simply “route optimization.”
**Russian-Ukrainian Conflict Continues**
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on January 28 that Russian forces had not captured the village of Dvorichna in the Kupiansk district, as claimed by the Russian Defense Ministry.
In Kyiv, a statue of Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov was removed for symbolizing Russia’s imperial past and his cruel experiments. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares wrote on X that this year will be one of peace, emphasizing Spain’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and freedom.
**Trade Disruptions**
The conflict has also disrupted trade between Russia and Europe. Rising shipping costs have created a significant price gap between buyers and sellers, according to Reuters. German imports of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) via other EU countries continue to rise despite efforts to cut off direct shipments.
**War Crimes Allegations**
The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs has accused Russia of using calls to pressure relatives into cooperating with Russian forces. These calls demand money, sensitive information, or illegal actions in exchange for promises of better treatment or inclusion in prisoner exchanges.
**NATO and Ukraine**
President Zelensky said in an interview that it was necessary to exchange nuclear arms for security guarantees, and at the time, that was only NATO. Today, it is still only NATO, he emphasized.
**Casualties and Attacks**
At least four civilians were killed and 23 injured by Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported on January 28. Russia also suffered 1,380 casualties just over the past day.
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