Fragment of the exploded drone. Photo: tengrinews.kz
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense has strengthened control over the country’s airspace following the explosion of a drone of unknown origin in the West Kazakhstan Region, the ministry’s press service reported.
The incident occurred on the morning of October 23 in the Burlin District. The wreckage was found in a remote area outside populated zones, the ministry said. No casualties or damage were reported.
Authorities are now working to determine the circumstances of the incident and the drone’s origin.
“The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan has taken additional measures to strengthen airspace monitoring and prevent unauthorized border crossings by aerial objects. Consultations are underway with foreign partners who may potentially own the devices in question,” the press service stated.
The West Kazakhstan Region borders Russia’s Orenburg Region, where a drone attack threat was declared earlier the same day. On October 19, a drone struck the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant, damaging one of its workshops. The incident forced the facility to temporarily halt intake of gas from the major Kazakh Karachaganak field, which in turn led to reduced production at the site.
Earlier drone crashes had been reported in western Kazakhstan, but none of the previous devices carried explosive payloads.
