AKTAU, KAZAKHSTAN (JUNE 19, 2025) (USERS MUST CREDIT "KAZAKHSTAN DEFENSE MINISTRY" HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY) SHOTLIST: 1. FLAGS HOISTED ON SHIP POLE 2. VARIOUS OF SAILORS/ RADAR 3. VARIOUS OF SHIP MOVING ON SEA/ HELICOPTERS FLYING IN AIR 4. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS ON SHIP CONDUCTING DRILL 5. VARIOUS OF MILITARY MEN, SAILORS DELIVERING SPEECH/ HANDING OUT CERTIFICATES 6. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS, SAILORS DURING CEREMONY/ MILITARY BAND PLAYING INSTRUMENTS/ SAILORS APPLAUDING/ AZERBAIJANI, KAZAKH FLAGS WAVING/ SOLDIERS, SAILORS MARCHING 7. SHIP MOVING AWAY/ SAILORS WAVING GOODBYE AKTAU, KAZAKHSTAN (JUNE 19, 2025) (USERS MUST CREDIT "KAZAKHSTAN DEFENSE MINISTRY" HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan concluded their joint military exercise, “Caspian Breeze-2025,” in the Caspian Sea with a ceremony held Thursday in the Kazakh city of Aktau. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense, approximately 300 soldiers participated in the drill, which involved missile and patrol ships, combat boats, hydrographic vessels, and aircraft from both countries. Deputy Commander of the Kazakhstan Naval Forces Kanat Niyazbekov, who also led the exercise, said they were proud to complete the joint operation successfully. He noted that since 2015, the two countries have developed sustainable cooperation in the naval field. Niyazbekov added that the exercise demonstrated both combat readiness and the strong brotherhood between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The training included air defense drills, sabotage prevention, and a joint operation to destroy floating mines in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea. Naval officials from both countries attended the closing ceremony. Writing by Ayse Elif Erdis.