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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.

'Slovo Zashite': Kazakhstan Prepares Mass Deportation of Anti-War Russians. Lawyers Believe It's About Prosecution for Buying Fake Migration Cards

Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (KNB) is investigating a criminal case involving fake temporary residence permits (TRPs). Dozens of men of conscription age with Russian citizenship are appearing as witnesses in this case. This is reported by the project 'Slovo Zashite' (Word of Defense) citing human rights defenders who assist anti-war Russians. According to sources, the investigation into this criminal case began at the end of February 2026. Investigators claim to be questioning 3-4 people at a time. The project notes that cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan on migrant issues has become increasingly active in recent years. Given that the TRP case is handled by the KNB, not the migration police, it could indicate preparations for mass deportation based on lists agreed upon with the Russian Federation, 'Slovo Zashite' believes. Human rights defenders have recommended that those involved in the case leave Kazakhstan urgently while they can do so independently and avoid deportation to Russia. 'Slovo Zashite' also writes that Russians should not count on legal assistance in the country, as Kazakh human rights organizations are largely dependent on the KNB. However, Anastasia Burakova, founder of the 'Kovcheg' (Ark) project, told 'Vazhnye Istorii' (Important Stories) that it is likely not about political persecution but about the purchase of fake TRPs. She stated that 'Kovcheg' has already been approached by people summoned for questioning in Kazakhstan, all of whom bought migration cards from fraudsters. A lawyer from Kazakhstan, speaking to The Insider, noted that Russians do not face criminal prosecution for buying fictitious documents, but such permits must be annulled. If a person has resided illegally in Kazakhstan for over a year, they may face expulsion, he added. According to the lawyer, Kazakhstan's National Security Committee regularly handles cases of fictitious and forged documents. He clarified that the agency's primary interest is information about sellers of fictitious permits. Additionally, witnesses in the case have the right to voluntarily leave the country. The InTransit project reported that among those who bought fictitious documents could be deserters, individuals at risk of political persecution in Russia, and those simply disagreeing with the war. Human rights defenders advised such citizens to voluntarily leave Kazakhstan. Since the beginning of 2026, Kazakhstan has decided to extradite several Russian activists. Among them are Yulia Emelyanova, a former volunteer for Navalny's headquarters from St. Petersburg, and Chechen activist Mansur Movlayev. Human rights defenders say that both face arrest in Russia, and Kazakhstan's authorities were guided by politics, not law, in their decision. Updated at 19:45 Moscow time. Lawyer comments added.