Tragedy on the Caspian repeated after 11 years: what happened at the 2015 exercises

Tengrinews.kz — The tragedy during military exercises in Aktau on the Caspian Sea, where nine servicemen died today, September 24, has brought back memories of another fatal incident on the Caspian 11 years ago. On September 18, 2015, four servicemen drowned during the "Center-2015" exercises.

Circumstances of the military fatalities

Eleven years ago, Aktau hosted the second stage of the "Center-2015" exercises. During an amphibious landing maneuver, six BTR-80 armored personnel carriers with 52 servicemen on board entered the sea. The exercises took place approximately five kilometers from the Oymasha training ground.

Photo from lada.kz archive©After covering about 150 meters across the water, the vehicles began to sink due to a strong gust of wind and high waves. Four servicemen died as a result.

Imangali Tasmagambetov, who served as Minister of Defense at the time, ordered the immediate formation of a special task force to fly to the scene to fully investigate the details and causes of the incident.

On the same day, the names of the four deceased servicemen were released: : 19-year-old Bauyrzhan Zholdabay, drafted from the Suzak district of the South Kazakhstan region (now Turkistan region); his peer Asylzhan Makhambetov from the Kulsary district of the Atyrau region; 23-year-old Zamir Adilov from the Enbekshikazakh district of the Almaty region; and 19-year-old Bagytzhan Kalybay, drafted from the village of Makat in the Atyrau region.

Asylzhan Makhambetov and Bagytzhan Kalybay were just one month away from demobilization.

On September 19, 2015, an investigation was launched into the deaths of the four servicemen under Article 453, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan: "Negligence in the line of duty resulting in grave consequences".

Archival photo from the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Based on the preliminary investigation results, the Minister of Defense decided to suspend and petition for the dismissal of the Commander of the Regional Command "West," Colonel Murat Nugmanov. Also dismissed were the First Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Regional Command "West," Colonel Rizat Kolpashev; the Deputy Commander for Combat Training of Regional Command "West," Colonel Mergen Kapashev; and the Marine Brigade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Yerbulat Tolykbayev..

On September 21, 2015, it was announced that the families of the deceased servicemen would receive 1.5 million tenge each from the state budget as financial compensation.

In October 2015, the Ministry of Defense held a board meeting where the findings of the investigation were presented. The Main Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense analyzed the circumstances of the Aktau tragedy.

Ministry of Defense board meeting, 2015. Photo by the department's press service.

The primary causes identified were non-compliance with regulations and the algorithms, insufficient training of personnel, and poor oversight.

From 2.5 years in prison to suspended sentences: How those responsible were punished

A year after the Caspian Sea tragedy—on November 25, 2016—a verdict was delivered in Aktau in the case of the four conscripts killed during exercises. Six people, including high-ranking officials, stood trial.All were charged under Article 453, Part 2 of the RK Criminal Code: "Negligence in the line of duty resulting in grave consequences".

The court sentenced the former Commander of Regional Command "West," Colonel Murat Nugumanov, the former Marine Brigade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Yerbulat Tolykbayev, and the Deputy Commander of Marine Unit 25744, Rashid Dzhilkaydarov, to 2.5 years in prison, to be served in a minimum-security colony-settlement.

Junior Sergeant Abai Baimuratov, commander of the second marine squad, fifth company, second battalion of Unit 25744, was sentenced to 1.5 years in a colony-settlement.

Senior Lieutenant Bauyrzhan Tulegenov, a marine platoon leader in Unit 25744, and Junior Sergeant Erasyl Kubegen, commander of the third marine squad, fifth company, second battalion of Unit 25744, were found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison. However, the court applied Article 63 of the Criminal Code, ultimately handing down suspended sentences. The case was heard in the military court of the Aktau garrison.

As a reminder, today, September 24, during exercises of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan in the Mangistau region, servicemen were swept out to sea. The incident occurred during a combat training mission on the Caspian coast amid a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds.

According to preliminary reports, 19 servicemen were swept out to sea. Nine have been confirmed dead, three were rescued, and one of them has been hospitalized. The search for the remaining personnel is ongoing. Emergency response teams and rescue equipment have been dispatched to the scene.

Following the deaths of servicemen during exercises at the Aktau garrison, a pre-trial investigation has been launched.