SocietyKazakhstan is no longer safe for anti-war Russians. So why are so many still staying?

Kazakhstan was a popular destination for anti-war Russians because entry was easy, Russian was widely understood, and legal status could be obtained relatively simply. In 2026, authorities began detaining and sometimes extraditing Russians, while tightening residence rules. Despite the risks, up to 80,000 who arrived in 2022 remain in the country.

KazakhstanRussian migrantsanti-war Russiansresidence permits

MMeduza★★★☆☆2026-08-25 08:50Original