Russians lay flowers at Kazakh missions in six cities after 14 soldiers die in Caspian

September 25, 2026 at 09:43 PM2 min

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

Residents of six Russian cities brought flowers to Kazakhstan's embassy in Moscow and consulates in St. Petersburg, Kazan, Omsk, Astrakhan, and Yekaterinburg on September 25, a national day of mourning in Kazakhstan. Condolence books were opened at the missions, with entries from Russian officials, EAEU and CIS representatives, and foreign ambassadors. The tributes followed the deaths of 14 Kazakh servicemen during a training exercise in the Caspian Sea on September 24.

Key Facts

Flowers were laid at the Kazakh embassy in Moscow and consulates in St. Petersburg, Kazan, Omsk, Astrakhan, and Yekaterinburg throughout September 25.
Condolence books at the missions were signed by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Vasily Osmakov, CIS Third Department Director Alexander Sternik, EEC Board Chairman Bakytzhan Sagintayev, and CIS Deputy Secretary General Denis Trefilov.
Australian Ambassador to Russia John Geering, Belarusian Ambassador Yuri Seliverstov, and Omsk Vice Mayor Elena Dyachuk also left entries in the condolence books.
On September 24, 17 Kazakh servicemen were swept into the open sea during a training mission in Mangystau region; 14 died and 3 were rescued.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov sent condolence telegrams to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Tributes at Diplomatic Missions

From the morning of September 25, residents brought flowers to the Kazakh embassy in Moscow and consulates general in St. Petersburg, Kazan, Omsk, Astrakhan, and Yekaterinburg. The Kazakh Embassy in Russia reported that condolence books were opened at all diplomatic missions. Entries were made by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Vasily Osmakov, CIS Third Department Director Alexander Sternik, EEC Board Chairman Bakytzhan Sagintayev, and CIS Deputy Secretary General Denis Trefilov. Australian Ambassador John Geering, Belarusian Ambassador Yuri Seliverstov, and Omsk Vice Mayor Elena Dyachuk also expressed condolences. Condolence letters were also received by email at the embassy.

The Caspian Sea Tragedy

On September 24, during a combat training mission in Mangystau region, weather deteriorated sharply and 17 servicemen were swept into the open sea. Three were rescued and 14 died. On the morning of September 25, the bodies of the last two missing servicemen, Sergeant Mansur Gumarov and sailor Miras Turdybekuly, were found.

International Condolences

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov also sent condolences. Diplomatic missions of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic expressed sympathy to the people of Kazakhstan and the families of the victims. The UN, the European Union, and the Organization of Turkic States also issued statements of support. OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev posted a message of condolence on his social media page.