Tokayev appoints Aidos Myrzakhmetov as Kazakhstan’s defense minister

Both decrees were signed by Tokayev, the press service of Kazakhstan’s president said; Kommersant also reported this.

Before this, Myrzakhmetov commanded the Special Operations Forces of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces. He graduated from the Military Academy of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan in 2002, led the State Security Service until January, then was appointed commander of the Special Operations Forces, and in May 2026 Tokayev awarded him the rank of major general.

Kosanov was dismissed after Tokayev decided on September 26 to create a commission for a comprehensive review of the situation at the Defense Ministry. The inspection was ordered after the deaths of servicemen during exercises.

On September 24, during the “Khazar Korgany — 2026” maneuvers, 17 people were swept out to sea while disembarking from the boat “Kaisar”; only three were rescued. On September 25, Kazakhstan declared a national day of mourning, and a criminal case was opened over the incident.

The Defense Ministry explained the deaths of the sailors by a sudden and sharp deterioration in the weather. Security forces detained five ministry employees, including the first deputy commander-in-chief of the Navy.