All three servicemen who survived the exercises on the Caspian Sea on 24 September 2026 completed their compulsory service and returned home. Aqzhol Temerkhan, Beket Kuandyk and Nikita Udalov returned to Mangystau, Atyrau and West Kazakhstan regions after demobilisation.
HOW THE SERVICE ENDED
Aqzhol Temerkhan completed his compulsory service on 3 October 2026. A native of the Mangystau region, he served as a sailor-rifleman in military unit No. 29011 in Aktau. After the incident, the serviceman underwent treatment in hospital, and then his condition stabilised. According to the parents of the injured man, he managed not only to save himself, but for a whole half hour searched for his friend.
As reported by blogger Azamat Sarsenbaev, after returning home Aqzhol plans to visit the families of his fallen comrades and express his condolences to them.
BEKET KUANDYK RETURNED TO THE ATYRAU REGION
Beket Kuandyk, a native of the Atyrau region, also served as a sailor-rifleman in military unit No. 29011. After the incident, he made his own way to the shore. At the same time, the Ministry of Defence reported that the serviceman was under the supervision of doctors.
After completing his service, Beket returned home. At Atyrau airport he was met by his parents, relatives and friends, Atyrau OIL reports.
NIKITA UDALOV RETURNED TO THE WKR
Nikita Udalov, a native of the West Kazakhstan region (WKR), served in the same military unit in Aktau as a medical instructor. The Ministry of Defence officially reported him as the third survivor on 25 September 2026.
After the tragedy, Nikita was under the supervision of doctors; his condition gave no cause for concern. Later, relatives reported that he had got out of the water by himself and reached the shore.
According to Qaz365.kz, after completing his year of service, Nikita Udalov returned home and met with his family.
WHAT AWARDS THE SERVICEMEN RECEIVED
On 27 September 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed decree No. 1505 on awarding the servicemen who survived the tragedy on the Caspian.
The medal "Eрлігі үшін" ("For Courage") was awarded to Beket Kuandyk, Aqzhol Temerkhan and Nikita Udalov. The decree noted that the awards were conferred for the courage and selflessness shown in the performance of military duty.
CONTEXT
Recall that on 24 September, during exercises on the coast of the Caspian Sea in the Mangystau region, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea after a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds. As a result of the incident, 14 people died.
The search and rescue operation ended on the morning of 25 September after the bodies of the last two missing servicemen were found.
Five officials in the Ministry of Defence system were detained on suspicion of criminal offences related to negligent attitude to service and violation of the rules of navigation, resulting in grave consequences.