The former Commander-in-Chief of the Kazakhstan Navy, Kanat Niyazbekov, has reportedly been arrested as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the deaths of servicemen during military exercises in the Caspian Sea. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had previously dismissed him from his high-ranking post last week amid mounting scrutiny over the incident.

The large-scale military drills, designated as the "Caspian Defense - 2026" exercises, officially commenced on September 22 in the Kazakhstan-controlled sector of the Caspian Sea. More than 500 military personnel were allegedly mobilized for these operations, raising serious concerns regarding operational planning and safety protocols.

On September 24, a sudden and severe deterioration in weather conditions resulted in 17 Kazakh servicemen being swept away by violent sea waves during the training maneuvers. Despite subsequent search and rescue efforts, only three individuals were successfully rescued, while the remaining 14 servicemen tragically lost their lives. * Formally speaking, former commander Kanat Niyazbekov attempted to attribute the catastrophe to adverse weather conditions and unexpectedly high waves. When questioned about whether such environmental factors were adequately accounted for during the exercise planning phase, he allegedly responded that they were supposedly taken into consideration overall.

This unprecedented casualty toll represents the largest loss of life in the modern history of the Kazakh armed forces. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has reportedly demanded that all responsible parties face strict legal accountability. Five officials have already been taken into custody, while a special inspection commission from the Ministry of Defense has uncovered significant planning flaws and regulatory violations.

Source: kun.uz