Moscow says Ukrainian drones crossed into Kazakhstan before strikes on Russia

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has stated that Ukrainian military drones have repeatedly crossed into Kazakh airspace amid attacks targeting Russia.

“On June 19 and 20, several dozen UAVs operated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces were recorded flying over the territory of Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan Region, apparently en route to strikes inside Russia,” Zakharova said in a statement published on the Ministry's website, per Caliber.Az.

She condemned these actions against Russia’s ally and reminded that Kazakhstan is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Zakharova called on all relevant agencies to respond to these provocations.

The statement comes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. By mid-2025, the war has seen extensive use of drones by both sides for reconnaissance and strikes, often targeting military and civilian infrastructure deep within enemy territory. Ukraine has increasingly deployed long-range drones to strike Russian military facilities, oil refineries, and other strategic targets, prompting Russia to bolster its air defenses and issue frequent accusations of Ukrainian aggression.

Kazakhstan’s Role and Neutral Stance: Kazakhstan, a Central Asian nation, shares a 7,600-kilometer border with Russia, one of the longest in the world. Despite its geographic proximity and historical ties to Russia, Kazakhstan has maintained a delicate balancing act since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war. While a member of Russian-led organizations like the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Kazakhstan has avoided openly supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine, emphasising neutrality,

By Khagan Isayev