Kazakh President Tokayev dismisses Defense Minister following fatal Caspian Sea training accident

ASTANA, September 27. /TASS/. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Dauren Kosanov from his post as defense minister following the deaths of servicemen during exercises in the Caspian Sea, the presidential press service reported.

"By decree of the head of state, Dauren Zhumataevich Kosanov has been relieved of his duties as Kazakh Defense Minister," the statement said. Kosanov was first appointed to lead the Defense Ministry in 2025. In September, Tokayev reappointed him to the post.

At the same time, Tokayev signed a decree appointing Aidos Myrzakhmetov, commander of the Special Operations Forces, as the new top defense official.

"By decree of the head of state, Aidos Sakenovich Myrzakhmetov has been appointed Kazakh Defense Minister and relieved of his previous post," the press service’s statement said.

On September 26, the president ordered the creation of a commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the Defense Ministry following an incident involving servicemen. On September 24, during Navy exercises on the Caspian coast in the Mangystau Region, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea. Fourteen of them died, and three were rescued. A criminal case has been opened in connection with the incident, and five defense officials have been detained, including the chief of staff and the first deputy commander-in-chief of the Navy. According to investigators, the servicemen were swept out to sea while disembarking from a boat amid deteriorating weather conditions.