Kazakh president fires defense minister after 14 servicemen die in Caspian Sea drill - Anadolu Ajansı

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.

The relevant statement was published on the presidential website and social media.

“Kosanov Dauren Zhumatyevich has been relieved of his post as defense minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the presidential press service said.

Kosanov was appointed defense minister in 2025 and was reappointed to the post by Tokayev in September.

On Sept. 24, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea during naval exercises in the Mangystau Region on the Caspian coast.

Fourteen died and three were rescued. A criminal case was opened over the incident, with five Defense Ministry personnel detained, including the chief of staff and first deputy commander-in-chief of the navy.

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.