The President Of Kazakhstan Dismissed The Defense Minister

• 27.09.2026, 12:11

Following the deaths of 14 service members during military exercises.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dismissed the country's Minister of Defense, Dauren Kosanov. The signing of the corresponding decree is reported at website of the head of state. The resignation came after the deaths of military personnel during the “Khazar Korgany—2026” in the Caspian Sea. On September 24, 17 soldiers were swept out to sea while disembarking from the “Kaisar” boat. Three were rescued; 14 died. They were between 19 and 23 years old. According to the republic’s Ministry of Defense, the incident occurred due to a sudden deterioration in weather conditions and strong winds.

In connection with the incident, criminal cases were opened regarding negligence in the performance of duty and violations of navigation rules. Five officials from the Ministry of Defense have been detained. Among them are the Chief of Staff—First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces’ Naval Forces—two military unit commanders, as well as the commanders of a marine corps company and a patrol boat. Tokayev declared September 25 a day of national mourning. He also ordered the creation of a commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the state of affairs within the defense ministry.

Dauren Kosanov had served as Kazakhstan’s Minister of Defense since June 8, 2025. In early September of this year, he was reassigned. Tokayev appointed Aidos Myrzakhmetov as the new head of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense. Since January 2024, he had commanded the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. In May 2026, Myrzakhmetov was promoted to the rank of major general.

The President of Kazakhstan also posthumously awarded military personnel who died during exercises on the Caspian Sea. They were awarded the Order of “Aibyn” of the 2nd and 3rd degrees for their courage and self-sacrifice in the line of duty.