Ukrainian woman detained in Kazakhstan following Russian extradition request

Ukrainian citizen Liubov Rozhanska was detained in the capital of Kazakhstan on 1 October. There is a possibility that she could be deported to Russia.

Source: DW; press service for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Details: According to the publication, the woman was detained in Astana after arriving to take her grandson back to Ukraine.

Her lawyers state that the boy was supposed to be brought to Astana from Russia, where his mother had taken him back in 2021.

In March 2022, the mother (Alla Andrieieva) filed an application to renounce Ukrainian citizenship for herself and the child, subsequently receiving Russian citizenship for both.

Following legal proceedings initiated by the child's father, the Supreme Court of Ukraine ruled in March 2025 that the boy's residence should be Odesa.

In July 2026, the mother's new husband and his father offered to transfer the child to Rozhanska.

However, Russian authorities had opened a criminal case against her back in 2023, charging her with attempted child abduction.

In late August, a court in Kaliningrad issued an order selecting detention as a preventive measure for Rozhanska and submitted an extradition request.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed journalists that they are aware of the situation.

Quote from Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Immediately after receiving information regarding the detention of the citizen upon her arrival in Astana, the Embassy of Ukraine in Kazakhstan promptly requested the Kazakh side not to satisfy Russia's extradition request.

Furthermore, Ukrainian consuls requested permission to visit the citizen, who is currently being held in a pre-trial detention facility, and received preliminary consent."

Details: Ukrainian diplomats remain in contact with the victim's lawyers and are providing the necessary assistance.

Quote from Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "We count on a fair review of the circumstances of the situation by the Kazakh side and are working to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the detained Ukrainian citizen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Consular Services and the Embassy of Ukraine in Kazakhstan are keeping the situation under special control."

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.