Russians in Kazakhstan (2024 –)

Kazakhstan has the longest land border with Russia — 4722 miles. Russians have settled in Kazakhstan since the XVIII century. Many Russian families settled on these lands also in Soviet times, during Stalin’s repressions — they were exiled here. Their descendants, now living there, consider Kazakhstan their homeland, as well as the indigenous Kazakh population. There are also many mixed Russian-Ukrainian families living in peace with each other, despite the war in Ukraine.
Now 25% of the population of Kazakhstan call themselves Russians, but under the USSR (1922-1990) there were three times more of them. Some researchers believe that by 2050 the Russian population of Kazakhstan will decrease to 10%. But is this true? Having passed through six cities of Kazakhstan, I found out how members of these families live in Kazakhstan, whether they really want to leave and what they think about the future.

Monument to the leader of the Soviet revolution Vladimir Lenin in the town of Yesil. This is one of the few monuments to Soviet leaders in Kazakhstan remained in the same place and were not dismantled.
Monument to the leader of the Soviet revolution Vladimir Lenin in the town of Yesil. This is one of the few monuments to Soviet leaders in Kazakhstan remained in the same place and were not dismantled.
Irina Bukhanko, a descendant of Russian and Belarusian exiles. Karaganda city Karlag one of the largest camps for political prisoners in the Gulag system operated here during Joseph Stalin's regime.
Irina Bukhanko, a descendant of Russian and Belarusian exiles. Karaganda city Karlag one of the largest camps for political prisoners in the Gulag system operated here during Joseph Stalin's regime.
An abandoned Soviet factory near the town of Yesil. As in Russia a lot of enterprises closed in Kazakhstan after the collapse of the USSR which led to a recession of the economy and a drop in living standards for some time. The situation is improving somewhat now.
An abandoned Soviet factory near the town of Yesil. As in Russia a lot of enterprises closed in Kazakhstan after the collapse of the USSR which led to a recession of the economy and a drop in living standards for some time. The situation is improving somewhat now.
Katerina (right) and her daughter Sofia Dzhepka, Almaty city. Among their ancestors are both the Russian founders of the city and exiles from Ukraine.
Katerina (right) and her daughter Sofia Dzhepka, Almaty city. Among their ancestors are both the Russian founders of the city and exiles from Ukraine.
Galina Fedchenko, had worked as a teacher in a Kazakh village, shows a photo from her youth with one of her school classes.
Galina Fedchenko, had worked as a teacher in a Kazakh village, shows a photo from her youth with one of her school classes.
Russians in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Ermakov. Documentary photographer
Soviet times Culture Palace in Ust-Kamenogorsk city, a former Russian fortress founded by decree of the first Russian Emperor Peter the Great. The city is located near the Russian border and is still strongly economically connected with Russia.
Soviet times Culture Palace in Ust-Kamenogorsk city, a former Russian fortress founded by decree of the first Russian Emperor Peter the Great. The city is located near the Russian border and is still strongly economically connected with Russia.
Slava, Galina Fedchenko s son-in-law. His ancestors were Poles who were repressed under Joseph Stalin s regime and exiled to Kazakhstan.
Slava, Galina Fedchenko s son-in-law. His ancestors were Poles who were repressed under Joseph Stalin s regime and exiled to Kazakhstan.
Russians in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Ermakov. Documentary photographer
Russians in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Ermakov. Documentary photographer
Russians in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Ermakov. Documentary photographer
Galina Fedchenko, a pensioner in the city of Yesil. She has worked as a teacher in a Kazakh village all her life. Her grandparents came to Kazakhstan from Russia and Ukraine fleeing the Holodomor strong hunger over the land after the 1917 revolution.
Galina Fedchenko, a pensioner in the city of Yesil. She has worked as a teacher in a Kazakh village all her life. Her grandparents came to Kazakhstan from Russia and Ukraine fleeing the Holodomor strong hunger over the land after the 1917 revolution.
Russians in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Ermakov. Documentary photographer
Russians in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Ermakov. Documentary photographer
A russian grave cross on the grave of a woman in the Russian cemetery in the town of Yesil.
A russian grave cross on the grave of a woman in the Russian cemetery in the town of Yesil.
Russians in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Ermakov. Documentary photographer
Victor, Anna and Arseny (son) Popovs are a family from Karaganda. Victor is half Kazakh but refers to himself as a Russian culture and considers his city international representatives of dozens of different nations settled here after exile in Karlag.
Victor, Anna and Arseny (son) Popovs are a family from Karaganda. Victor is half Kazakh but refers to himself as a Russian culture and considers his city international representatives of dozens of different nations settled here after exile in Karlag.
Russians in Kazakhstan. Dmitry Ermakov. Documentary photographer
The Russian-Ukrainian Fedchenko family the town of Yesil.
The Russian-Ukrainian Fedchenko family the town of Yesil.
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