Tokayev awards three surviving sailors from Caspian Sea drills

September 27, 2026 at 01:01 PM2 min

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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev awarded the Erligi Ushin medal to three servicemen who survived the September 24 Caspian Sea incident during the Khazar Korgany-2026 exercises. The decree, signed September 27, recognizes their courage and selflessness in the line of duty. The three are from military unit 29011, where 14 colleagues died and were posthumously awarded the Aibyn order.

Key Facts

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on September 27 awarding the Erligi Ushin medal to three servicemen from military unit 29011.
The three recipients are Kuanysh Beket Baktybekuly, Temerkhan Akzhol Timuruly, and Nikita Udalov, all from military unit 29011.
On September 24, during the Khazar Korgany-2026 exercises, 17 servicemen were swept into the Caspian Sea; 14 died and 3 survived.
The 14 deceased servicemen were posthumously awarded the Aibyn order of II and III degrees.
A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was created to investigate the tragedy and assist the families of the victims.

The Award Decree

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on September 27 awarding the Erligi Ushin medal to three servicemen from military unit 29011. The medal recognizes courage and selflessness shown in the performance of military duty. The recipients are Kuanysh Beket Baktybekuly, a sailor-rifleman; Temerkhan Akzhol Timuruly, a sailor-rifleman; and Nikita Udalov, a sanitary instructor. All three serve in military unit 29011.

The Caspian Sea Incident

On September 24, during the Khazar Korgany-2026 exercises in the Mangystau region, 17 servicemen were swept into the Caspian Sea when weather suddenly deteriorated and wind intensified. Three servicemen managed to get out of the water on their own; 14 died. Initial reports said 19 servicemen were swept away, but the Mangystau regional administration later clarified the number as 17. The 14 deceased servicemen were posthumously awarded the Aibyn order of II and III degrees. Platoon commander Olzhas Mukhtaruly received the Aibyn order II degree named after Bauyrzhan Momyshuly, and 13 others received the Aibyn order III degree named after Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev.

Investigation and Response

A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was created to investigate the tragedy and assist the families of the victims. The General Prosecutor's Office announced the start of a pre-trial investigation into the deaths of the servicemen.