Kazakhstan launches criminal investigation after digital billboard displays Ukrainian flag during Putin’s visit

The authorities in Kazakhstan have launched a criminal investigation after a digital billboard displayed a Ukrainian flag during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

A video of an LED screen showing the colors of the Ukrainian flag near the Astana Opera theater in Kazakhstan’s capital circulated on social media on the day of Putin’s visit. The screen was soon turned off, according to Russian state media, and remained out of service as of Thursday morning.

“At present, all possible scenarios are being considered, including technical malfunctions and potential unlawful external interference with the equipment,” Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The country’s State Technical Service, meanwhile, said the screen had been hacked in a cyberattack. “Preliminary data indicates the attack was carried out using foreign IP addresses and proxy servers,” the agency reported.