Kazakhstan says it is tightening control of airspace after drone explodes over its territory

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ALMATY (Reuters) -Kazakhstan’s defence ministry said on Thursday that it was tightening control of the country’s airspace after a drone of “unknown origin” exploded in the country’s west, close to the border with Russia.

In a statement on Telegram, the ministry said that the explosion occurred in a remote area around 180km (111 miles) miles west of the Russian city of Orenburg, which was hit by Ukrainian drones last week.

The ministry gave no indication as to the drone’s origin, but said: “Consultations are also underway with foreign partners who may potentially own these devices.”

Kazakhstan has been hit by the fallout of an escalating campaign of Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian energy targets.

The drone strike on Russia’s Orenburg gas plant, which processes gas from Kazakhstan’s Karachaganak field, sharply reduced the plant’s capacity for several days.

Kazakh officials earlier this month announced sweeping price freezes on fuel and utility tariffs, with the country’s energy minister on Wednesday blaming Ukraine war fallout for issues on the fuel market.

Astana has walked a diplomatic tightrope on the war in Ukraine, maintaining warm ties with Moscow whilst also stressing its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

(Reporting by Mariya Gordeyeva, Writing by Felix Light; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)