Body of Kazakh officer killed in Caspian drills flown to Turkistan

September 25, 2026 at 01:57 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The body of Senior Lieutenant Olzhas Mukhtaruly, killed during naval exercises on the Caspian Sea, was flown by military aircraft to his hometown of Turkistan. The Ministry of Defense confirmed the transfer for farewell and burial. The repatriation comes as Kazakhstan observes a national day of mourning on September 25 for the 14 servicemen who died in the incident.

Key Facts

Senior Lieutenant Olzhas Mukhtaruly died during naval exercises in the Mangystau region on September 24, 2026.
His body was transported by military aircraft to Turkistan, his hometown, for farewell and burial.
The bodies of three servicemen from West Kazakhstan region were delivered to Uralsk, with farewell and burial scheduled for September 26.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared September 25 a national day of mourning in Kazakhstan.
Five officers of the Ministry of Defense were detained in connection with the deaths during the Khazar Korgany-2026 exercises.

Repatriation of the Fallen Officer

The body of Senior Lieutenant Olzhas Mukhtaruly was flown by military aircraft to Turkistan, his hometown, according to the Ministry of Defense. Mukhtaruly was a native of the Turkistan region and died during exercises in the Mangystau region. The ministry stated that the body was delivered for farewell and burial.

Casualties and Mourning

On September 24, 17 servicemen were swept into the open sea during a sudden storm and gusty winds while performing combat training tasks with the Naval Forces on the Caspian Sea. Fourteen people died as a result of the incident. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared September 25 a day of national mourning in Kazakhstan. The bodies of three servicemen from West Kazakhstan region were delivered to Uralsk, with farewell and burial scheduled for September 26.

Investigation and Detentions

A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was created to determine the causes of the incident. A criminal case on charges of negligence and violation of navigation rules is under special control of the General Prosecutor's Office. The General Prosecutor's Office reported that 30 servicemen were questioned and a circle of suspects was established. Five officers of the Ministry of Defense were detained in connection with the deaths during the Khazar Korgany-2026 exercises.