Russia's war, Central Asia’s reckoning

A Telegram exposé on foreign mercenaries fighting for Russia has rattled Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, triggered arrests, and opened fresh rifts with Moscow.

Apr 25, 2025

∙ Paid

Children in uniform perform onstage at a World War II commemoration event organised by Russky Dom in Kyrgyzstan.

It was an April 1 surprise.

A Ukrainian-run Telegram channel called Khochu Zhit’ (I Want to Live) announced a series of planned posts. Over the weeks to come, the channel would publish lists including the names and fates of foreign mercenaries…

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