Kazakhstan Holds Major Emergency Drills, Calming Public Fears

Kazakhstan Holds Emergency Drills: Nation-Wide Exercises and Calls for Calm Kazakhstan conducted a large-scale command-staff exercise, "Pozhar-2025," on May 22, 2025, beginning at 9:00 AM local time. The drills, involving the Emergency Ministry of Russia, triggered sirens across the country, causing some alarm among citizens. The main headquarters for the exercise was situated in Pavlodar Oblast. The video accompanying this report shows images of emergency vehicles and personnel participating in the exercise. While the drills were intended to test emergency response capabilities, the unexpected activation of sirens led to concerns among some residents. One citizen, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "It was quite alarming to hear the sirens. I wasn't sure what was happening at first." Authorities emphasized the importance of the exercises in maintaining preparedness for potential emergencies. The drills tested various scenarios and involved a significant number of personnel and resources. The successful completion of "Pozhar-2025" serves as a testament to Kazakhstan's commitment to ensuring public safety.