Kazakhstan seeks return of citizens from Ukraine after men say Russia tricked them into war
Kazakhstan is negotiating with Russia to bring home citizens currently in the war zone in Ukraine after a group of Kazakh men said they had been deceived into joining the Russian military.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said on Oct. 7 that authorities were taking “necessary measures” regarding citizens who had published video appeals on social media and that negotiations were underway for their return.
The ministry said it continues to receive similar requests through its hotline and is verifying each case. Once the checks are completed, Kazakhstan plans to send Russia a consolidated list of its citizens seeking assistance.
The ministry did not confirm the men’s account of how they ended up in the war.
The group previously said in a video reported by Azattyq Asia, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty project, that they had traveled to Russia for work but were deceived and sent to fight against Ukraine.
Kazakhstan raised the issue with Moscow earlier this month. Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi met Russia’s chargé d’affaires, while Kazakhstan’s ambassador was expected to discuss the matter with officials from Russia’s foreign and defense ministries.
Ukraine’s “I Want to Live” project, which encourages Russian troops to surrender, says at least 2,420 Kazakh citizens have signed contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry. The figure could not be independently verified.