Kazakhs allege coercion into Russian army after signing security job papers

October 1, 2026 at 07:13 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A group of Kazakh citizens who traveled to Russia for work have released a video appeal claiming they were deceived into signing military documents and now face deployment to war or prison. Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry has sent a diplomatic note to Russia over the case. The appeal follows the death of another Kazakh labor migrant in the conflict.

Key Facts

19-year-old Ainabek Keldebek from Shymkent left for Russia on August 27 after being offered a job at the Bars security agency.
Keldebek told his mother he was told to either go to war or face 15 years in prison after signing documents he did not understand.
Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry has sent a diplomatic note to the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the situation.
Earlier, 26-year-old Sundet Pernebek from Turkestan region died after going to Russia for work; his death became known after Ukraine published a list.

The Video Appeal

A group of Kazakh citizens who traveled to Russia for work recorded a video appeal asking for help to return home. In the video, Ainabek Keldebek says he was deceived by a friend who told him about a job at a security agency. He states that after arriving with two others, they were told they would work, but then were forced to sign documents and told they would be sent to war or face 15 years in prison. Other young men in the video also ask for help and want to return to Kazakhstan.

Family Account

Ainabek Keldebek's mother, Perizat Eleusizova, said her son left Shymkent on August 27 after friends invited him to work at the Bars security agency. She initially opposed the trip but later agreed; about a week later, her son told her things were not as expected. Keldebek calls his mother daily from a training ground, pleading for help and asking whether he should try to escape. His mother told him not to run away, saying they heard that another man who tried to escape was shot in the leg.

Diplomatic Response

Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry told Ulysmedia.kz that a diplomatic note has been sent to the Russian Foreign Ministry on this issue. The ministry said work with the Russian side is ongoing and results will be announced later. The case follows the death of Sundet Pernebek, a 26-year-old from Turkestan region who went to Russia to earn money and help his parents pay off loans. Pernebek's death became known after Ukraine published a list of casualties.