Is Kazakhstan preparing for war with Russia?

Reports in some media outlets that Kazakhstan is preparing for war with Russia have been circulating. The Republic's Ministry of Defense has responded to these reports.

According to reports, Kazakhstan is allegedly deploying territorial defense brigades on the border with Russia "in case of a conflict." The Defense Ministry has issued an official explanation, saying that the draft law "On Territorial Defense" is aimed solely at strengthening Kazakhstan's internal security.

The draft law on territorial defense was developed as part of the modernization of Kazakhstan's national security system. Its purpose is to ensure internal stability, protect the population, infrastructure facilities, and territorial integrity in the event of martial law or other emergency situations.

The deployment of territorial defense brigades is being carried out not in response to external threats, but taking into account the logistical, geographical and demographic characteristics of the regions, the ministry explained.

The Kazakh Defense Ministry said the draft law is not directed against any state and should not be adopted from the perspective of responding to military threats.