Astana, 1 November. Kazakhstan’s State Security Service has warned that on 5–7 November traffic will be temporarily restricted on some stretches of Astana’s streets because of the preparation and holding of “a number of international political events”, and that since 1 November military aircraft have been making training flights over the city.
Forces of special state and law-enforcement bodies and Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces will be involved to ensure the events, the service said, Zakon.kz reports. It asks residents and guests of the capital to treat the security measures taken during an international-level event with understanding. The statement names neither the events nor their participants, nor the streets where traffic will be restricted, nor the hours of the closures, nor the altitude and routes of the flights.
The Ministry of Defence did not comment on these flights in the reports found.
What it means: The road closures are set for three days and will affect “some stretches” of streets, while military aviation is already training over the city today. What exactly is being prepared in the capital, the service did not say.
What to do: The State Security Service asks for the measures to be treated with understanding. The list of streets has not yet been published, so trips on 5–7 November, especially through the centre and near government buildings, are best planned with time in hand and checked against new statements by the service and the Astana akimat.
Background: In spring 2025, before the military parade in Astana, aircraft and helicopters also flew over the city; the Ministry of Defence then explained the flights by preparation for the parade for the 80th anniversary of the Victory, Kazinform reported. This time the reason is given with the general phrase “international events”.
