Uralsk, formerly known as Yaik Town, is one of the oldest Russian cities outside modern Russia. Founded in 1613, it served as a stronghold for the Yaik Cossacks on the border with the Kazakh steppes. This city became an important center for historical events, such as the Pugachev uprising, and is the birthplace of the legendary commander Vasily Chapayev.

Before the revolution and for many decades after, the Russian and Cossack population made up the majority in Uralsk. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and Kazakhstan's independence in 1991, a mass exodus of Russians to Russia began. Hundreds of thousands left the country each year, and Uralsk was no exception to this trend. Today, the city has about 312,000 residents, of which 76% are Kazakhs, 19% are Russians, and the remaining 3% are Ukrainians and Tatars. In comparison, during the Soviet era, the Russian population was comparable to or even exceeded the Kazakh population.

Despite these demographic changes, Uralsk continues to be an important religious center. It is home to the Uralsk and Aktobe dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as the Kazakhstan diocese of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church. The churches, architecture, cemeteries, and Old Believer community of the city are preserved as a material heritage of the past. However, with the decreasing number of living bearers of this tradition, the Russian cultural imprint is gradually dissolving in the new demographic landscape.

Uralsk is at the crossroads of cultures and traditions, making it a unique place where the Kazakh majority and Russian cultural heritage coexist in complex harmony. The city continues to balance its historical past with modern realities, reflecting the changes occurring in the region and the world as a whole. It is a place where history and culture intertwine, creating a unique atmosphere that attracts both locals and visitors.