DPeopleTurkic republics in Russia
Balkars
A Turkic people of the highest mountains of the central Caucasus. They call themselves "tawlula" — highlanders — and share a language with the Karachays.
The Balkars are a Turkic people of the Kipchak branch living in the mountains of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic, on the eastern slopes of Elbrus. Together with Karachay their language is called Karachay-Balkar. Their ancestors are thought to include the Kipchaks and the ancient Alans of the Caucasus.
In March 1944 the entire Balkar people was deported to Central Asia and returned in 1957. The republic is shared with the Kabardians, so its flag is not shown here.
Updated: September 28, 2026