Mass Deportation of Russians Planned in Kazakhstan
The Pretext Could Be Fake Residence Permits
The Committee for National Security of Kazakhstan is investigating a criminal case involving fake temporary residence permits (TRPs). Dozens of Russian men of conscription age have been summoned for questioning. Experts believe this could lead to large-scale deportations.
Restrictions for Migrants in Kazakhstan
Experts from the “Word to Protection” project note that the investigation began in late February 2026. Investigators are questioning 3–4 people at a time. Kazakhstan’s migration system has long operated in a “grey zone.” Many Russians live in the country based on informal agreements and fake TRPs. There is a significant number of such offers on the market. Migrants from Russia often chose this method of legalization because the republic does not officially recognize a special status for those who left due to military conflicts in Ukraine. Meanwhile, standard migration procedures require official employment and registration.
For some time, Kazakh authorities did not focus on the market for fake permits, as no one’s interests were directly harmed, and there were no other mechanisms for humanitarian assistance and legalization of such a large number of foreigners. However, over time, migration policy became stricter. Restrictions appeared for Russians in the banking sector, justified by the risk of secondary Western sanctions. The “visa run” option, which allowed border crossings to reset the period of stay, was abolished. Rules for obtaining residence permits (PR) were also changed.
A scoring system for selection has been introduced, along with testing of Kazakh language skills and verification by competent authorities. Deputy Prime Minister Aida Balaeva stated that the digitalization of the process is aimed at eliminating “grey schemes” and fake documents. Observers note that, while these measures are officially aimed at combating fraud, in practice they coincide with pressure on political emigrants.
Who Was Deported in 2026
In the first two months of 2026, Kazakhstan became a dangerous place for those who left Russia due to disagreement with its political course. A striking example is the deportation of 25-year-old IT specialist Alexander Kachkurkin. He was deported based on administrative protocols that, according to his defense, were fabricated — crossing a road in the wrong place and smoking hookah. During the flight, Russia opened a case against him for treason. Human rights defenders called the incident a “special operation” and “kidnapping,” as Russian authorities clearly anticipated his arrival.
At the end of January, Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office approved Russia’s requests for the extradition of former Navalny campaign volunteer Yulia Emelyanova and Chechen activist Mansur Movlaev. In February, police handed over Semen Bazhukov, a deserter from the Russian military, to Russian authorities.
Human rights lawyer Evgeny Smirnov from the “First Department” organization noted that previously extradition processes could take years, allowing activists to leave for Europe. Now decisions are made quickly, “as if a signal came from above.”
Recommendations for Russians in Kazakhstan
The criminal case is being handled not by the migration police but by the Committee for National Security (KNB) of Kazakhstan. This is what worries human rights defenders: if a regular migration service were handling the cases, the consequences would be more predictable.
Currently, many Russian emigrants, even those legally registered, may face accusations based solely on circumstantial evidence. Human rights defenders strongly recommend that all individuals involved in the criminal case concerning fake TRPs leave Kazakhstan urgently while they can do so voluntarily. Otherwise, there is a high risk of deportation to Russia. At the same time, they should not rely on legal assistance within the republic, as local human rights organizations largely depend on the KNB in their work.