Ukrainians advised to refrain from traveling to Kazakhstan due to mass protests - embassy

Ukrainian citizens should refrain from traveling to Kazakhstan because of the mass protests that have erupted in that country, the Ukrainian Embassy in Kazakhstan has said.

"Due to the imposition of a state of emergency in the city of Almaty, the Almaty and Mangistau regions from January 5 to January 19, 2022, we recommend refraining from arriving in Kazakhstan," the statement said.

Ukrainians who already stay in Kazakhstan should refrain from visiting the sites of mass gatherings during the state of emergency in the country.

The diplomatic mission also published the hotline number of the Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan +7(705)7556610, which can be contacted if necessary.

Protests have been taking place in western Kazakhstan since January 2. Mass rallies began in Zhanaozen, Mangistau region due to a double increase from 2022 in the price of liquefied gas, which is used to fill up most cars in the region.

In connection with the mass protests, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed decrees introducing a state of emergency in the Mangistau region and the city of Almaty from January 5.

On January 5, the Kazakh president dismissed the government.

op