Court sentences man for participating in war against Ukraine in Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, 25-year-old local resident Yevgeny Luft was sentenced to six years in prison for taking part in an armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state – namely, in Russia's war against Ukraine on the side of the Russian army.

KazTAG stated this in an article, citing case materials, Ukrinform reports.

The decision was issued by the Kyzylzhar District Court of the North Kazakhstan Region. It is noted that in February 2025, the 25-year-old Luft left the city of Petropavlovsk in Kazakhstan for the Russian Federation. He subsequently signed a one-year contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and served in the combat zone.

According to the case materials, from February to April 2025, the man took part in hostilities against the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In April, he sustained a mine-blast injury, underwent treatment, after which he left his military unit without authorization and returned to Kazakhstan, where he was detained.

In court, the defendant did not admit guilt, stating that he considered himself a citizen of the Russian Federation. However, according to the verdict, he received Russian citizenship only on June 27, 2025 – that is, after participating in the conflict.

As Ukrinform previously reported, Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (KNB) launched a review regarding stand-up comedian Nurlan Saburov over a possible violation of the article on "mercenarism," which provides liability for financing participation in war.

The departure of Kazakh citizens abroad to take part in hostilities is prosecuted under the country's national legislation.

Kazakhstan's Criminal Code contains two relevant articles – "Mercenarism" and "Participation in Foreign Armed Conflicts." The first provides for imprisonment from seven to 20 years and deprivation of Kazakh citizenship, while the second provides a prison term of five to nine years.

Photo: pexels.com