Five officials from Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry system have been detained in connection with the deaths of servicemen during the Khazar Qorgany 2026 military exercise.

Those detained include the first deputy commander-in-chief of the Naval Forces and chief of staff, commanders of two military units, a marine company commander, and the commander of the Kaysar patrol boat, according to Qazinform.

All five have been placed in a temporary detention facility operated by the Aktau Police Department.

A military investigative unit of Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry is investigating allegations of negligence and violations of vessel navigation rules.

The investigation is being kept under the special control of Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General’s Office.