[10] Throughout the course of history, the territory of Karakalpakstan had been under control of various empires before forming its own present-day identity in around the 17th century as a separate confederation of nomadic tribes initially belonging to Khiva khanate,[11] thus resulting in Karakalpaks having closer cultural ties with the Kazakhs in terms of customs, material culture, and language contrary with the Uzbeks.

[13] In December 1990, during Perestroika, the Supreme Council of Karakalpak ASSR adopted a "Declaration on State Sovereignty" over the Soviet Union which it allowed for Karakalpakstan to gain independence through the means of a referendum while the Uzbek SSR had declared its own independence in August 1991 shortly after the failed Soviet coup d'état attempt.

The news outlet Turkmen.News reported that the Uzbekistan National Guard presence had been strengthened in two towns in Karakalpakstan as a result of protests.

The cause of other protests was reported by Eurasianet to be the arrest of Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov, a Karakalpak lawyer and journalist, before he was set to meet people in Nukus.

"[30] According to Mirziyoyev, he held a meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel in which an independent investigation into the unrest was discussed.

[30][31] President Mirziyoyev has admitted that casualties have occurred among both civilians and security forces, claiming that rioters had carried out "destructive actions".

[32] Sultanbek Ziyayev, minister of health in Karakalpakstan, said Nukus hospitals were filled with protesters who had been injured in clashes with security forces, and that "thousands" had been hospitalised.

[4] On 4 July, the General Prosecutor's Office of Uzbekistan reported that 18 people had been killed and 243 injured in Nukus, though opposition figures have stated the true number is likely far higher.

[5] According to Amnesty International, security forces allegedly fired rubber bullets into the crowd and there were unverified reports of drones dropping smoke bombs and tear gas on the protesters.

It was later claimed by local media that the red colour in the video was the result of red-dye water cannons sprayed by police.