Russia's information attack on Kazakhstan: Who benefits from it? Analysis by Azerbaijani, Kazakh experts

Proceeding from the numerous negative information about Kazakhstan in Russia's propaganda resources, the crisis in relations between the two countries, which was discussed in the expert community after the January 2022 events in Kazakhstan's Almaty and other cities, may turn out to be a reality. As is known, such ardent representatives of the Russian-Armenian agitators as Margarita Simonyan, Tigran Keosayan, Vladimir Solovyov and others have been working very hard in this sphere over the last 10 years. Various segments of social networks, among which the Rybar Telegram channel has distinguished by its pro-Armenian orientation, are also involved in the process.

A number of Russian media outlets, with reference to Rybar Telegram channel, have recently published an article entitled "'Innocent' Kazakhstan and confirmation of the supply of military equipment to Ukraine". According to the article, a few days ago, the Beregini hacker group supposedly posted documents confirming the Kazakh government's cooperation with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office over the supply of Soviet-made weapons and ammunition to Ukraine through a Jordanian intermediary firm. This information was denied by Kazakhstan's Industry and Infrastructural Development Ministry, which is the authorised body in export control, stating that the mentioned Technoexport company does not have a license to conduct such operations and did not apply to the ministry for obtaining permission for the export of weapons, ammunition and military equipment. Despite Astana's clear and unequivocal answer, the author of the article, apparently at the behest of those who ordered the provision of the interested sides with confidential information, insists that the information, received from the corresponding Kazakh organisations, is false.

There is no doubt that the accusations levelled against Kazakhstan in this article are far from reality. Earlier, Rybar Telegram channel reported the alleged sale of air bombs by Azerbaijan to Ukraine. Of course, this information is also false. The deliberately false information went viral in the Russian propaganda media outlets that supposedly Azerbaijan, being in a neutral status, was supplying air bombs to Kyiv through the CIHAZ Industrial Association. Allegedly this company is actually supervised by the Azerbaijani Defence Industry Ministry and sent aerial bombs for the Ukrainian Ukrspecexport state company, etc.

Such fake news, through the efforts of pro-Kremlin propagandists, is aimed at aggravating Russia-Azerbaijan relations, unfoundedly accusing Azerbaijan of involvement in military operations in Ukraine. A similar goal is directed toward Kazakhstan.

It is appropriate to mention another important point. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Azerbaijan is expected to be made soon, and of course, Moscow and propagandists acting upon its orders focus on this event. Taking into account that Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, even being allies of Russia, continue rendering humanitarian support to Ukraine as the states pursuing an independent and peaceful policy, it is possible to assume that the information attack on Kazakhstan on the eve of President Tokayev's visit to Baku is not accidental and is also directed against Azerbaijan's interests.

During a conversation with Caliber.Az, Kazakh expert Arman Shuraev described the information about Kazakhstan rendering military support to Ukraine as false.

"Kazakhstan continues rendering only humanitarian aid to Ukraine, therefore such accusations are inventions of Russian propagandists. Although, I think that in the current situation, the provision of military assistance to Ukraine by Kazakhstan would be logical. The entire civilised world supports Ukraine, so I think that Kazakhstan should also render military support to Kyiv," Shuraev said.

He noted that the anti-Kazakhstan propaganda, which has recently been observed in the Russian media, did not start from scratch, but has some reasons.

"This reason is that Russia is losing on all fronts in Ukraine, on the battlefield, in the information war against Ukraine and the whole world, so the agenda related to Kazakhstan is mainly designed for the Russian audience. The Russian Federation needs some small victories to distract its own population from internal problems, that is why it is constantly necessary to maintain the image of the enemy. As we can see, among the traditional enemies of Russia, in particular, the Anglo-Saxons, "Bandera" [members of Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists], there are also Kazakh 'nationalists'. Our people support Ukraine in the war with Russia and this has a great contribution. Such open support of Kazakhstan as mass rallies, the biggest one with more than 50,000 people in March 2022, turned out to be an unpleasant surprise for Moscow.  Kazakhstan also continues rendering humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people," he said.

"This fact greatly irritates Russia, and I would not be surprised if Russian governmental circles are willing to 'conquer' northern Kazakhstan for a week. Russia is likely to perceive Kazakhstan as easy prey, but this is a delusion as the Kazakhs have the so-called unconscious self-organisation, which allows them to survive in any conditions, even though we are quite vulnerable, which I regret to admit. For example, more than half of the officers of our national army are graduates of Russian universities, who, in case of some force majeure, may defect to the aggressor's side. However, the Kazakhs are not silly, the expert said.

"As for the anti-Kazakh propaganda, which is being actively spread in the Russian media, we do not agree with the current policy that the Russian leadership demonstrates to the whole world, and this fact was confirmed by President Tokayev, openly declaring Kazakhstan's unwillingness to recognise fictional quasi-states in Ukraine," he noted.

"There are no Nazis and nationalism in Kazakhstan, which the Kremlin's propagandists, such as Solovyov, Simonyan, Keosayan and similar individuals, provided with money, are trying to instil. They accuse everyone, including the Kazakhs. Everything they can achieve is to move Kazakhstan away from Russia. On the other hand, Russian politicians themselves are spoiling friendly Russian-Kazakh relations. There are fewer people who were more loyal to the Russian leadership, they no longer want to be part of the so-called 'Russian world' because of the corrupt propagandists who have recently insulted the Kazakhs and even threatened us with the occupation of territories," the expert noted.

"I think that the fate of Simonyan, Keosayan, and Solovyov is very hard. I hope they will not escape a Nuremberg trial. As for their constant chatter about the alleged oppression of the Russian language in Kazakhstan and Russian values, this is also an absolute lie, which has no basis. Just think, the Russians in Kazakhstan are ready to take up arms to defend our lands together with the Kazakhs in case of Russia's attack. What does it mean? This means that Kazakh land is as valuable for citizens of Kazakhstan of Russian origin as it is to a Kazakh citizen. Russia should think about this before putting forward some fantastic hypotheses about Kazakh nationalism, acting through their jingoistic patriots, provided with money," Shuraev added.