The authorities of Kazakhstan called the installation of a yurt in Bucha a private initiative

The Embassy of Kazakhstan has nothing to do with the installation of the “yurt of indestructibility” in Bucha, said Aibek Smadiyarov, a spokesman for the country’s Foreign Ministry. According to him, eit is “a private initiative of Kazakh philanthropists who decided to help the Ukrainian people”, and Astana does not see any problem here.

“We’ve got it, what’s next? A yurt is a traditional nomad dwelling and is easy to assemble. Easily transferred to a new place, environmentally friendly. This is probably why the choice fell on this type of housing for Kazakh businessmen. We cannot comment or forbid,” Smadiyarov said.

He recalled that 300,000 Ukrainians live in Kazakhstan, and there is also a Kazakh diaspora in Ukraine. “They communicate with each other, there are interethnic marriages, friends, relatives, and one people helps another people. There is no problem in this. <…> On the contrary, we are proud that we have a yurt,” Smadiyarov added.

Earlier, Buchi City Council reported that “the yurt of invincibility” was opened, “thanks to the support of the embassy of Kazakhstan.” This aroused the indignation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which demanded an explanation from Astana. According to the official representative of the department, Maria Zakharova, their “assured that this information is not true and the authorities of the republic have nothing to do with it.” However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not satisfied with the “absentee” explanation and stated that “in order to avoid further” spinning “of the topic in order to damage the Russian-Kazakh strategic partnership, an official comment is highly desirable.”

Ukrainian authorities have been creating “indestructibility points” across the country since November due to blackouts following massive rocket and drone attacks by Russia. Such places have autonomous heating and electricity – people can come there for free to warm up and charge their gadgets.

Volunteers say the yurt in Bucha can accommodate 15 to 30 people. It is made of sheep’s wool, does not let in cold, rain, snow and keeps warm inside. There is a generator at the entrance. In the event of a blackout, local residents can come to the yurt not only to warm up and charge their phones, but also to have a bite to eat – visitors here are treated to tea, biscuits and baursak for free.

The cost of the yurt is $25,000. Similar structures are going to be installed in several more cities: Kyiv, Kharkov and Odessa. The possibility of installation in Nikolaev and Kherson is also being considered.