In light of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, Chap. 4 explores Kazakhstan’s people’s nuanced and changing opinions towards their Soviet background and present connection with Russia. Before this struggle, many people in Kazakhstan saw the Soviet Union as a positive force, stressing its contributions to industrialization and modernization while downplaying the repressive elements, including forced collectivization and famine. Russia was sometimes considered a “big brother,” supporting historical and familial solidarity. Establishing the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) accentuated these feelings even more since it stands for shared future and economic cooperation. However, current global events have caused a rethink of these narratives. The invasion of Ukraine has generated concerns about Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and a review of the Soviet heritage. This chapter explores how Kazakhstanis are reevaluating their Soviet past and current relationship with Russia, addressing national identity, cultural ties, and economic interdependence. The study emphasizes different public perceptions, the function of Soviet nostalgia, and the idea of mental decolonization inside Kazakhstan.