Kazakhstan arrests five defense officials after 14 soldiers die in Caspian drills

September 28, 2026 at 12:27 PM2 min

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Kazakhstan has arrested five defense officials after 14 soldiers died during Caspian Sea drills on September 24. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a national day of mourning and posthumously awarded the victims the Aibyn order. A government commission led by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev is investigating the tragedy.

Key Facts

14 soldiers died and 3 were rescued after 17 were swept into the Caspian Sea during the Khazar Korgany-2026 drills on September 24.
Five Ministry of Defense officials were detained as suspects in a pre-trial investigation under Article 453 Part 2 (negligence) and Article 465 (violation of navigation rules).
President Tokayev posthumously awarded all 14 victims the Aibyn order and declared September 25 a national day of mourning.
A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was dispatched to the scene.
The first report on the audit of financial and logistical support of military units must be presented within seven days.

The Tragedy

On September 24, during the Khazar Korgany-2026 exercises in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, 17 servicemen ended up in the water due to worsening weather and strengthening wind. Fourteen of them died, and three were rescued. The search and rescue operation concluded on the morning of September 25 after the bodies of the last two servicemen were found. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a national day of mourning on September 25 and sent telegrams of condolence to the families of the victims. By presidential decree, all 14 deceased servicemen were posthumously awarded the Aibyn order.

Investigation and Arrests

Law enforcement agencies launched a pre-trial investigation into all circumstances and causes of the tragedy. Two criminal cases were opened under Article 453 Part 2 (negligent attitude to service resulting in grave consequences) and Article 465 (violation of navigation rules). Five officials from the Ministry of Defense system were identified and detained as suspects. The investigation is under special control of the General Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Government Response

A government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was formed and immediately dispatched to the scene. President Tokayev instructed to provide all necessary assistance and support to the families of the deceased and injured servicemen. A special fund was established in the country to ensure open and accountable collection of money for the families of the victims. A public commission headed by Bekmurat Zhusupov, a member of the Kazakhstan People's Council, was created to ensure transparent distribution of collected funds. The President appointed a new Minister of Defense and created a Commission for a comprehensive inspection of the state of affairs in the Ministry of Defense.