Kazakh parties pledge over $5 million to families of 14 sailors killed in Caspian drills

September 28, 2026 at 03:40 PM2 min

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

Kazakhstan's Adilet party and the Kazakh People's Council will provide more than 5.2 million dollars to families of servicemen killed during naval exercises in the Caspian Sea on September 24. The Adilet party will transfer 3.3 million dollars to the Ultyk Rukh fund, while the People's Council has already collected 1.8 million dollars for direct payments to relatives. The tragedy killed 14 servicemen and prompted a national day of mourning on September 25.

Key Facts

The Adilet party and its Business Council will transfer 1.5 billion tenge (3.3 million dollars) to the Ultyk Rukh fund to support families of the dead and injured servicemen.
Members of the Kazakh People's Council have already collected 815 million tenge (1.8 million dollars) for direct payments to relatives of the deceased.
The tragedy occurred on September 24 during Kazakh Navy exercises in the Caspian Sea, when 17 servicemen were caught in open water by worsening weather; 14 died and 3 were rescued.
A criminal case has been opened on charges of negligent service and violation of navigation rules, and a government commission is investigating the causes.
A national day of mourning was declared in Kazakhstan on September 25, and the Mangystau regional akimat urged donations only through the official Ultyk Rukh fund.

Financial Assistance

The Adilet party and its Business Council will allocate 1.5 billion tenge (3.3 million dollars) to the Ultyk Rukh fund, designated as the single operator for collecting aid. Contributions are made voluntarily, and the funds will support families of both the dead and injured servicemen. The Kazakh People's Council has already raised 815 million tenge (1.8 million dollars), which will be handed directly to relatives of the deceased. The Mangystau regional akimat has urged those wishing to help to transfer money only through the official Ultyk Rukh fund, with movement of funds under state and law enforcement control.

The Tragedy

On September 24, during Kazakh Navy exercises off the Caspian Sea coast, weather conditions sharply deteriorated and wind strengthened, leaving 17 servicemen in open water. Three servicemen were rescued, and 14 died; the search and rescue operation was completed on September 25 after the bodies of the last two missing servicemen were found. A criminal case has been opened under articles on negligent service causing grave consequences and violation of navigation rules. A government commission is establishing the causes and circumstances of the incident.

National Response

In connection with the tragedy, a national day of mourning was declared in Kazakhstan on September 25. The Adilet party, the Kazakh People's Council, and the Ultyk Rukh fund are the main entities involved in the assistance effort.