The consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine could be subjectively observed in the lives of ordinary Kazakhstanis and their shifting attitude towards Russia. In general, public opinion polls showed that Kazakhstanis have become less favorable to Russia as “a powerful northern neighbor” compared to previous years.
A survey conducted in 2017 showed that the people of Kazakhstan, in general, had a relatively good attitude toward Russia. However, six years later, now we see a completely different picture: People have become less friendly towards Russia, and some even express open aversion to it.
Kazakhs keep their independence sitting between Russia and China and they want to have it that way. For them the current agression underlined by vocal threats to capture them next is sure a moodkiller. No wonder locals oppose war symbols and make immigrants fleeing Russia tear them off if they want to pass the border.