Kazakhstan discovers suspected wreckage of missing military helicopter in Sorbulak lake

Search teams in Kazakhstan have reportedly discovered fragments believed to be from the Eurocopter EC-145 military helicopter that went missing in the Almaty region.

According to Tengrinews.kz, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS) confirmed the development, Caliber.Az reports.

"During satellite monitoring conducted by the operational headquarters of the MChS command centre, a slick believed to be oil was detected on the surface of Lake Sorbulak in the Almaty region. A group of rescuers was immediately dispatched to the area," the statement read.

The search operation continued throughout the night. Upon inspection of the site, fragments of an aircraft were found, believed to belong to the Air Defence Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Emergency services are continuing to work at the scene, employing specialised equipment including echo sounders, unmanned aerial vehicles, and underwater drones.

The Ministry noted that approximately 200 personnel have been deployed in the search-and-rescue operation, supported by 40 vehicles, 15 watercraft, four canine teams, and two MChS aircraft.

There has been no official information regarding the fate of the three crew members who were on board at the time of the helicopter’s disappearance.

On July 25, 2025, a military Eurocopter EC-145 belonging to the Air Defence Forces of Kazakhstan went missing during a flight in the Almaty region.

The helicopter lost contact while operating in the vicinity of Lake Sorbulak, prompting an immediate search-and-rescue operation by the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS). 

Satellite monitoring later identified a suspicious oil slick on the lake’s surface, leading rescue teams to the area.

By Aghakazim Guliyev