Exercises Should Have Been Halted: Bektenov Names Key Failures Leading to the Death of 14 Soldiers

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has outlined the findings of a government investigation into the fatal incident during naval exercises in the Caspian Sea, pointing to systemic failures within the Ministry of Defense rather than citing weather conditions as the sole cause.

According to the head of government, poor oversight of the drills, inadequate risk assessment, and slow adaptation to rapidly changing conditions directly contributed to the outcome. Safety protocols were severely overlooked, and key decisions to halt hazardous maneuvers were either delayed or never made.

Following instructions from the President, responsible agencies have drafted a Military Reform Plan to address these foundational gaps. The initiative focuses on modernizing command structures and instituting standardized guidelines for exercise planning that place service member safety above all else.

The tragedy occurred during the "Khazar Qorganai – 2026" exercises, which commenced on September 22 and involved over 500 troops from the Naval Forces, ship crews, coastal units, and the Border Service of the National Security Committee. Seventeen service members were swept out into open waters, resulting in 14 casualties.

President Tokayev previously underscored critical gear shortages—specifically a lack of life jackets—and called for sweeping military reforms. Following the incident, the Minister of Defense was dismissed, and five military officials were detained, including the Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces, two unit commanders, a marine company commander, and a vessel commander.