Death servicemen in the Caspian Sea: what is known about the exercises

Tengrinews.kz — Two days before the tragedy in the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense announced the start of the Khazar Korgan-2026 naval exercises. The department detailed the scale of the maneuvers, their objectives, and the participating units.
Over 500 personnel and warships
According to the Ministry of Defense, the exercises are taking place in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea as part of a unified strategic command and staff exercise plan. The maneuvers are led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, Captain 1st Rank Kanat Niyazbekov.
More than 500 personnel from the Naval Forces and attached units, including warship crews and coastal units, are participating in the exercises.
The maneuvers also involve assets and personnel from the KNB Border Service Coast Guard in the Mangistau region and the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.

"The primary goal of the exercise is to improve the professional training of personnel, increase the combat readiness of crews, and practice coordination between forces and assets while performing designated tasks," the statement read.


As a reminder, 19 service members were swept into the Caspian Sea during military exercises on September 24. Nine fatalities have been confirmed so far. Three have been rescued, including one who was hospitalized. The search for the remaining personnel continues. Rescue service forces and assets were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Following the deaths of the service members at the Aktau garrison, a criminal case has been launched and is currently under investigation.
A government commission was established to investigate the causes of the soldiers' deaths. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was appointed as its chairman.