March 11, 2026
Kazakhstan is reportedly preparing for a mass deportation of anti-war Russians. Is anywhere safe for those fleeing Kremlin repressions?
Kazakhstan’s intelligence agency has opened a major criminal case targeting Russians living in the country. Dozens of draft-age Russian men have already been called in for questioning, and human rights defenders warn the investigation could be a cover for a large-scale deportation campaign coordinated with Moscow. The crackdown comes amid a narrowing of emigration options for Russians who fled their country after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. To learn more about the challenges facing Russians who seek refuge abroad, Meduza spoke with Anastasia Burakova, the founder of the Ark Project.
TL;DR
- Kazakhstan's National Security Committee is investigating fraudulent temporary residence permits, with dozens of draft-age Russian men questioned.
- Human rights defenders warn the investigation could be a cover for mass deportations coordinated with Moscow.
- Emigration options for Russians fleeing the 2022 invasion of Ukraine are narrowing globally.
- Countries like Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Turkey are tightening migration rules or cooperating with Russian extradition requests.
- The Ark Project advises Russians at risk to avoid Russian institutions and limit social media activity.
- Democratic countries with stable legal systems are presented as the ideal but often unattainable option for those in high-risk groups.
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