Kazakhstan launches inquiry after drone parts found near Russian border

Kazakh authorities have initiated an investigation following the discovery of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fragments in the West Kazakhstan region, close to the border with Russia.

The findings, reported in February and March, have raised concerns about the origins of the debris, with initial assessments pointing towards activities at a nearby Russian military testing facility, Caliber.Az reports per Kazakh media.

First Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, Sultan Kamaletdinov, addressed the issue during a press briefing. He indicated that more than 90 per cent of the drones recovered within West Kazakhstan fall within the airspace of the Russian Federation’s 929th Main Flight Test Centre, a major military test range adjacent to the region.

“There is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the relevant services alongside various law enforcement and specialized agencies. It is important to note that the vast majority—over 90 per cent—of the drones discovered within the West Kazakhstan region fall within the boundaries of the Russian Federation’s 929th Main Flight Test Centre. This facility operates the test range, and the airspace above it is under their exclusive control,” Kamaletdinov stated.

The UAV fragments were discovered in the districts of Zhanibek and Taskalinsk, prompting local police authorities to open inquiries into the matter. The ongoing investigation seeks to determine whether the debris resulted from routine drone testing or if there are other underlying causes.

By Vafa Guliyeva