Foreword

In 2025, we mark 80 years since the Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) — a defining moment of the 20th century that reshaped global history and left a lasting impact on millions of lives. For the people of the former Soviet Union, the war became a true test of unity, strength, and endurance. From the early days of the conflict, Kazakhstan began forming major military units and independent detachments. By the summer and fall of 1941, 1,500 square kilometers of western Soviet territory, home to over 74 million people, had fallen under enemy occupation. In this critical period, the support of rear regions became vital, with eastern areas, including Kazakhstan, bearing the brunt of supplying manpower and resources. Kazakhstan rose to the challenge: • 1.2 million people were drafted into the army • Over 700,000 were mobilized into labor armies and construction units • More than 70% of the male population aged 18–50 served in the armed forces • During the war, every fourth resident of the republic wore a military uniform The toll was immense: over 600,000 Kazakhstani soldiers perished, with half of those drafted never returning home.
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