This article examines the mass exodus of Kazakhs abroad in 1928–1933 and the fate of the refugees. The study is based on historical sources and eyewitness testimonies. The aim of the article is to provide a comprehensive account of the events of this period and to conduct a historical analysis of the population’s migration and the tragedy of displacement.

The section devoted to the historical prerequisites of the mass flight of Kazakhs abroad (1928–1933) investigates the historical, social, and economic factors that contributed to this large-scale migration. Key causes such as famine, political pressure, and land-related issues are analyzed. The article provides an in-depth examination of the process of mass exodus, its historical background, and socio-economic determinants. Harsh measures implemented by the Soviet administrative-command system — collectivization, confiscation of wealthy households, forced sedentarization, and the artificially induced famine — compelled large segments of the population to abandon their native lands and seek refuge abroad.

Drawing on concrete facts and documentary evidence, the study analyzes the main escape routes to China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Iran, the hardships endured along the way, and the challenges of adaptation in a new environment. A significant part of the article focuses on the destinies of the refugees as revealed through eyewitness accounts. Oral history materials illustrate the daily hardships experienced by the displaced population, including hunger, disease, threats from border guards, and socio-cultural difficulties encountered in the process of resettlement.

The study concludes that the exodus of the 1930s was a tragic period that significantly influenced the social structure, demographic development, and historical memory of Kazakh society. The article is based on archival documents, periodical press materials, and eyewitness testimonies.

The mass migration of Kazakhs abroad in 1928–1933 is an event of great historical significance. The fate of the refugees, revealed through eyewitness accounts, allows for the reconstruction of a multifaceted picture of the tragedies and trials they endured.