Mysterious Drones on Kazakhstan’s Border with Russia: Third Drone Found in a Month

A third unidentified drone has been discovered in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan region near the Russian border, heightening security concerns and prompting official investigations. Law enforcement and relevant agencies are currently inspecting the latest find. New Fragments in Zhanibek District The most recent wreckage, believed to be part of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), was found in Zhanibek district. According to a statement from the West Kazakhstan Region Police Department, the debris was located in a remote, uninhabited area. “The West Kazakhstan Region Police Department, together with authorized services, is conducting verification activities regarding the discovery of objects resembling fragments of an unmanned aerial vehicle,” the department stated. Authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the drone's origin and potential flight path. Third Case in a Month This is the third such incident in the region within the span of a month. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, on March 18, residents of Atameken village, approximately 60 kilometers north of Taskala, reported the crash of a drone approximately three meters in length. A similar incident occurred on February 18 in the village of Uyaly, Bokeyordinsky district, where authorities recovered an unidentified flying object measuring 120 centimeters in length. In both previous cases, police and emergency services responded to secure and analyze the sites. Assumptions and Unofficial Theories While there has been no official identification of the drones, some regional media outlets suggest a possible match between one of the recovered UAVs and the French-made "Crecerelle" reconnaissance drone, produced by Sagem. The lack of confirmation has done little to quell speculation, particularly amid rising concerns about the drones’ potential connection to the war in Ukraine. In Russia's neighboring Saratov region, Ukrainian UAVs have repeatedly targeted strategic infrastructure, including airfields and fuel depots. This geographic proximity raises questions about whether Kazakhstan is inadvertently becoming a transit zone, or even a crash zone, for drones involved in that conflict. Local officials and residents alike are increasingly uneasy about the repeated discoveries. Investigations remain ongoing, with experts aiming to identify the drones’ origins and assess any security risks. Law enforcement agencies have refrained from commenting on possible links between the drone crashes and the military conflict in Ukraine until further evidence is gathered.

Another Drone Crashes in West Kazakhstan

Another drone has crashed in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan region. Local residents discovered the object near the village of Atameken, approximately 60 km north of the district center of Taskala.  On March 18, the police department in Taskala District received a report about an unidentified object, believed to be a drone, found in a remote area. The device measured approximately three meters in length. Police officers, representatives of the district akimat (council), and emergency services were dispatched to the scene. The West Kazakhstan Region Police Department confirmed the discovery of an object resembling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).  “The object fell in a remote area, away from populated settlements, and was found intact, with no visible damage. All circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” the agency stated. This marks the second case of a drone crash in the region within a month. On February 18, a similar object, measuring 120 cm in length, was discovered in the village of Uyaly in Bokeyorda District. At that time, police and emergency responders also arrived at the scene to investigate. According to analysts, the drone that crashed on February 18 bears similarities to the Crecerelle, a reconnaissance UAV developed by the French defense company Sagem. However, authorities have not yet confirmed this information. The incidents have raised concerns due to the region’s proximity to the Kapustin Yar military training ground, which is leased by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Located in Bokeyorda District, the facility occupies nearly half of the district’s territory. Meanwhile, in neighboring Russia’s Saratov region, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly targeted military facilities, including airfields and fuel storage sites. On February 17, seven drones carrying explosives and metal shrapnel attacked the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, a facility operated by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).  The recent drone crashes in West Kazakhstan region have heightened security concerns among residents and the authorities. Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the drones and any potential links to military activity in the region. [caption id="attachment_29909" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: Colonel GSh Telegram channel[/caption] Posting images of its tail number, the has reported that the drone was a  Russian Geran-2 (Shahed-136) kamikaze drone. > > This story has been updated to reflect breaking developments.