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Hundreds of Kazakhs Killed Fighting for Russia in Ukraine—List Released
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
According to the Ukrainian project “I Want to Live,” at least 270 citizens of Kazakhstan have been confirmed dead or missing while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine. The data was published on October 15.
The project released a list of Kazakhstan nationals who were either killed or disappeared after joining Russian military formations. The authors of the report emphasized that the actual number of casualties is likely much higher than the confirmed figures.
❗️Список погибших наемников – граждан Казахстана, воевавших в российской армии
— Проект «Хочу жить» (@hochuzhit_com) October 15, 2025
На захватнической войне, которую ведет Россия против Украины, продолжают гибнуть граждане Казахстана. Мы уже публиковали списки казахстанских наемников, участвовавших в боевых действиях на стороне РФ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/UwoHbf4dQk
“The published list is not complete, and the real number of killed and missing persons is probably several times greater,” the organizers of “I Want to Live” stated.
Among the confirmed dead was Andrii Bohomolov, born in 2005, who died at 19. The oldest was 64-year-old Aleksandr Yalfimov, who fought with Russia’s 254th Motor Rifle Regiment.
The project noted that Russian recruitment efforts target Kazakhstan citizens both within the country and among Kazakh migrants living in Russia.
Recruiters reportedly operate in prisons, target labor migrants, and approach individuals who have recently obtained Russian citizenship. Inside Kazakhstan, recruitment also takes place through online ads and fake employment agencies offering “high-paying jobs in Russia.”
According to the project, the Kremlin has gradually shifted its recruitment strategy from distant countries to neighboring states such as Kazakhstan, where the language barrier is lower and social conditions make recruitment easier.
The “I Want to Live” project urged Kazakh authorities and society to take stronger measures against these networks: “Otherwise, Russia will continue sending Kazakhstan citizens to die,” its organizers said.
Earlier in October, Kazakhstan significantly ramped up cargo inspections at its border with Russia to curb the flow of Chinese goods—particularly sensitive tech like microchips—that could violate Western sanctions. The crackdown led to a traffic jam of over 7,500 trucks.
