Abstract
The article raises the question of defining the very concept of "participation in foreign armed conflicts", considered on the basis of the legislative framework. And also considered the elements of the criminal law and criminological characteristics of the participation of citizens of Kazakhstan in illegal armed formations on the territory of foreign states, types of illegal armed formations. The article predicts the consequences that may result from the lack of efficiency of the activities of state and law enforcement agencies. Knowledge of the criminological features of the relevant organized criminal structures contributes to the development of measures for general and individual prevention and comprehensive countermeasures.