ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Sunday dismissed Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov following the deaths of 14 servicemen during a naval exercise in the Caspian Sea, according to a statement published on the presidential website.“Kosanov Dauren Zhumatyevich has been relieved of his post as defense minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the statement said.Kosanov was appointed defense minister in 2025 and was reappointed to the post by Tokayev in September.Later Sunday, Tokayev signed a decree appointing Aydos Myrzakhmetov, commander of the Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces, as the new defense minister.The president also awarded orders for dedication and courage to three servicemen who survived the incident. Fourteen servicemen who died were posthumously honored with orders for courage and dedication.The incident occurred on Sept. 24, when 17 servicemen were swept into the Caspian Sea during naval exercises in the Mangystau Region.Fourteen servicemen died, while three were rescued.Authorities opened a criminal investigation into the incident and detained five Defense Ministry personnel, including the navy’s chief of staff and first deputy commander-in-chief.According to investigators, the servicemen were swept into the sea while disembarking from a boat as weather conditions deteriorated.On Sept. 26, Tokayev ordered the establishment of a commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the situation at the Defense Ministry following the incident.
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