Escape of Young Russians to Kazakhstan: Political Views and Relations with the Host Society and State 18+

Abstract

Almost four years after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of Russian emigrants are scattered across different parts of the world. Kazakhstan has emerged as one of the key destinations for this post-2022 wave of emigration due to its geographical proximity, linguistic accessibility, and relatively open migration regime. This article presents a narrative analysis of interviews with young Russian emigrants who relocated to Kazakhstan after the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The study examines how migrants articulate their motivations for leaving Russia, their political views, and their reflections on Russian domestic politics and military actions in Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to how political positioning and personal life circumstances shape migrants’ everyday experiences and strategies of adaptation.
The article analyzes how migrants interact with the host state and society, as well as how they navigate legal and institutional frameworks. Applying the exit, voice, and loyalty framework, the study shows that emigration often functions as a moral and political exit without complete disengagement from the homeland. Adaptation strategies combine pragmatic, social, and cultural adjustments in context-dependent and heterogeneous ways.

Text in English