Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense has launched an internal investigation after a video surfaced online showing people in military uniforms doing landscaping work, as reported by infohub.kz citing NUR.KZ.
A video posted on the Egovpress Instagram account was split into two parts. The first shows young people in military uniforms traveling in a car; some are asleep. The second part shows the same people doing yard work. The caption said: "We hope the competent authorities will explain why young people in military uniforms are constructing an unknown object."
NUR.KZ sent a request to the Defense Ministry's press service. The ministry explained that the first part shows students of the Shymkent Military Technical School heading to tactical exercises with military equipment, and that footage is unrelated to the second part. The second part, according to the ministry, captured a planned park and maintenance day held on the grounds of the school's Shymkent branch.
The ministry said such a day involves tidying up designated areas and facilities, cleaning premises, servicing equipment, and performing household chores. "The footage shows students of the Military Technical School participating in landscaping and maintenance of the school's grounds. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense has ordered an internal investigation into the matter to verify compliance with the established procedure for involving students in such work. Based on the results, officials' actions will be legally assessed. If violations are found, those responsible will be held accountable in accordance with the law," the ministry stated.