On April 13, the Meduza news publication published a letter from a student of the Tashkent branch of the Russian Gubkin Oil and Gas University, Mukhidzhon, in the “War through the Eyes of Readers” section, dedicated to people’s views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The author of the letter said that “the war had also affected the younger Uzbeks.”

“Now, every week at the university, we have lectures in which an older person tells us about the SVO (special military operation — ed.) and the brave Russian troops. I still remember the quote from an official of the center for religious affairs: “As a bearer of ancient Orthodox Russian culture, I will assert that the Russian troops are fighting against Satanists in Ukraine.” This is nonsense, this is absurd. What relation do we, the youth of independent Uzbekistan, have to the war in Ukraine?” the letter to the editor says.

In conclusion, the author writes that he and his friends support Ukraine.

"We are all against this criminal, immoral war. People with common sense are always against any war and violence. I sincerely believe that Ukraine will defend its freedom and independence. We have no illusions, we know very well that if Ukraine is defeated, then we will have to defend freedom and independence with weapons in our hands," the letter emphasizes.

On Monday, April 14, the branch of Gubkin Russian University in Tashkent commented on the publication.

The university said that the branch administration conducted "an appropriate study", during which it found out that "the person mentioned in the letter is not among the students of the branch."

"In addition, the information about the alleged "propaganda activities" during the educational process, set out in the appeal, does not correspond to reality and is unfounded. The educational process in the branch is organized in strict accordance with the approved curriculum and programs of disciplines," the message says.

The branch administration declared its readiness to cooperate with the media and asked them to refrain from disseminating “unverified, one-sided information and to rely exclusively on official sources.”