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

Kazakhstan is one of the most popular destinations for anti-war Russians who have left the country. In the first weeks after the mobilization, more than 400,000 people arrived here from Russia. The main reasons: Russians can enter the country without an international passport, Russian is widely understood, and it’s fairly easy to legalize one’s status. In 2026, however, Kazakhstan turned into a dangerous country for Russian migrants in the span of a single month. Kazakh authorities regularly ...