Strasbourg, Nancy, Metz, June 28-29, 2026 – As part of a working visit to the regions of France, Professor Gulnara Mendikulova, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor at the Kazakh-British Technical University, and Knight of the Academic Palms Order, conducted comprehensive research work aimed at determining the fates and burial places of Kazakhstani soldiers who perished during the liberation of France in the Second World War.

The work began with a visit to the South Cemetery in Strasbourg, where the burial sites of two Soviet soldiers were identified, which are likely natives of Kazakhstan.

The research followed at the Departmental Archives of Meurthe-et-Moselle in Nancy. Professor Mendikulova studied archival fonds, card files, and personal files of militaries of the Kazakh SSR who died on French territory. The analysis of archival documents made it possible to clarify data on the burial places of Kazakhstani soldiers, as well as to determine the next search steps.

Further, Professor Mendikulova held a meeting with Xavier Laurent, Director of the Departmental Archives of Meurthe-et-Moselle, and archivist Julie Denand. During the meeting, G.Mendikulova expressed gratitude to French colleagues for their research support and access to historical documents. The parties confirmed their mutual interest in further developing cooperation in identifying the fates of Kazakhstani militaries and in honour soldier’s memories who fell in the struggle for the liberation of France.

The research work also continued at the Chambière military necropolis in Metz (Moselle department), where Soviet military burials are located. Notably, that last May, Kazakh delegation led by the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to France, G.Arystankulova, commemorated the Kazakhstani soldiers buried in the Soviet fraternal cemeteries and paid tribute to their memory.

As part of the working visit, Professor Mendikulova also visited the Le-Pétant military necropolis and continued research in cooperation with the French National Office for Veterans and War Victims (ONaCVG), to clarify data on the burial places of Kazakh citizens.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-strasbourg/press/news/details/1250688?lang=ru