Activation of persecution of citizens of Kazakhstan
The law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan have intensified the persecution of citizens who fought on the side of Russia in Ukraine, opening about 700 criminal cases in the past year. This number of cases has increased from several dozen to 700 at the beginning of 2025, indicating a significant increase in the authorities' attention to the issue of the participation of Kazakhstanis in the conflict.
During the full-scale war against Ukraine, nearly 200 citizens or descendants of Kazakhstan have died. Despite this, the government of Kazakhstan declares neutrality in the war between Russia and Ukraine. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasizes the importance of the negotiation process, reflecting the country's desire to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Response of the state to external challenges
The situation with criminal cases demonstrates that the state is actively responding to the actions of its citizens in the context of foreign policy and obligations to the international community. The opening of such a number of cases may have serious consequences for those who decided to participate in armed conflicts outside Kazakhstan.
The intensification of criminal prosecution of Kazakh citizens who participated in the war in Ukraine may be caused by the government's desire to demonstrate its position regarding international obligations and to maintain internal stability. The actions of law enforcement agencies indicate that the authorities seek to control the situation and prevent possible social or political consequences related to the participation of citizens in armed conflicts outside the country.