Russian Shahed-136 Drone Reportedly Crashes in Kazakhstan

A Russian Shahed-136 Attack drone, labeled “Geran-2” and bearing the serial number “Ы18358,” was found in the Taskalinsky district of West Kazakhstan Region, near the Russian border.

The discovery was reported by local media, including Kazinform and Telegram sources on March 19.

According to reports, the drone was found intact in an open field with no visible damage or detonation of its explosive payload. The presence of symbols, including the letter “Z,” suggests its potential involvement in Russia’s military operations. Experts indicate that the drone was equipped with a fragmentation warhead and telemetry system.

Initial assessments suggest that the drone may have deviated from its intended course due to electronic warfare interference or a technical malfunction. Having lost navigation control, it likely continued uncontrolled flight over Russian territory before entering Kazakhstan.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that on the night of March 18-19, Russian forces launched drone attacks from various locations, including Bryansk, Orel, Shatalovo, Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Given the distance, the Shahed-136 could have traveled between 700 and 1,000 kilometers before landing in Kazakhstan.

Kazakh authorities, including law enforcement and emergency services, responded to the incident. The West Kazakhstan Regional Police Department confirmed an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the drone’s crash. The drone was found in a remote area, away from populated zones.

Earlier, on March 1, Romania’s Ministry of Defense reported finding fragments of a Russian-made drone with an active warhead near the border with Moldova. The debris was discovered in an uninhabited area in Galați County, approximately 500 meters from the border. Authorities conducted a controlled detonation to neutralize the explosive threat.