Kazakhstan Bans Pro-Russian Marches in Memory of Soviet Soldiers

Authorities in several Kazakh cities have banned marches associated with Russia’s “Immortal Regiment” movement ahead of Victory Day on May 9, the independent news outlet Nastoyashchee Vremya reported on Sunday.

Officials in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, and in Pavlodar and Petropavl, denied permission for commemorative marches honoring Soviet soldiers who fought in World War Two.

In Pavlodar and Petropavl, where Russian-speaking communities are prominent, authorities proposed moving the remembrance online, including displaying veterans’ photos on public LED screens.

Authorities warned that unauthorized marches would be treated as illegal assemblies, punishable by fines or detention.The “Immortal Regiment” is a civic initiative that originated in Russia, where participants commemorate relatives who served in the Soviet Red Army during what is known as the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945. In recent years, it has been increasingly promoted by the Russian government as a symbol of patriotic unity.

Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. It remains a major public holiday in Russia and parts of the former Soviet Union, often featuring military parades and commemorations of Red Army soldiers.

Activists in Almaty appealed to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to allow the march, accusing local officials of being “anti-Soviet” and vowing to proceed even without official authorization. Local media also reported claims that in Petropavl, volunteers were recruiting participants for an unsanctioned march, allegedly offering payments in Russian rubles.No “Immortal Regiment” event is planned in the capital Astana, where authorities are organizing official celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

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An officially organized military parade is scheduled for May 7, accompanied by exhibitions and other commemorative events.

According to government estimates, about 120 World War Two veterans are still living in Kazakhstan, the youngest aged 96.

President Tokayev is expected to attend Victory Day ceremonies hosted by President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 9.