Kazakhstan President Tokayev dismisses three senior defense officials after military deaths

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed decrees relieving three senior Defense Ministry officials of their duties, according to the president's press service and reports compiled by Trend and Qazinform. The sweeping leadership changes follow a major military disaster in the Caspian Sea during the Khazar Korgany-2026 exercises.

The tragedy unfolded on September 24, 2026, in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region. Seventeen servicemen fell into the water due to a storm and strong winds during drills in the Caspian Sea, according to reports by Ua citing Anadolu Agency. Fourteen of the soldiers died, while three servicemen survived the ordeal. Investigators noted that the servicemen were swept out to sea while disembarking from a boat when weather conditions worsened.

Media additions

In the wake of the disaster, authorities detained five employees of the Ministry of Defense. A criminal case was opened over the incident, with investigators examining the organization of the exercises, compliance with safety requirements, consideration of weather and sea conditions, and the specific actions of responsible officials.

President Tokayev previously dismissed Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov, who had held the post since 2025 and had been reappointed in September. Major General Aidos Myrzakhmetov, formerly the head of the Special Operations Forces, was subsequently appointed as the new Defense Minister.

The latest presidential decrees removed Kanysh Abubakirov from his position as First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. Almaz Dzhumakeyev was relieved as Deputy Minister of Defense, and Kanat Niyazbekov was dismissed as Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.

President Tokayev criticized the preparation for the drills, noting publicly that participating servicemen had not been provided with essential safety equipment, specifically marine life jackets. Following the incident, Tokayev instructed the establishment of a commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the situation in the defense ministry.

Beyond individual accountability, the head of state instructed officials on September 27, 2026, to establish not only the circumstances of the tragedy, but also what had prompted the concept of the exercises and whether the tasks set during them corresponded to modern threats. Tokayev also directed authorities to improve the efficiency of budgetary resource use within the defense sector.

What to Watch Next

• The Office of the Security Council, working jointly with the Defense Ministry, was instructed to submit a comprehensive Military Reform Plan within ten days.
• Investigators are continuing to examine the detained defense personnel regarding safety failures, operational decisions, and the circumstances surrounding the Caspian Sea exercises.