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Kazakhstan President dismisses Defense Minister after 14 soldiers die in Caspian Sea exercise
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dismissed Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov following a fatal military exercise in the Mangystau region of the Caspian Sea. On September 24, during the 'Hazar Korgani-2026' drills, 17 naval personnel were swept into the sea due to sudden severe weather and high winds. While three individuals were rescued, 14 soldiers lost their lives.
In response to the tragedy, Tokayev has ordered radical military reforms to modernize the armed forces and improve command accountability. He appointed Aydos Mirzahmetov as the new Defense Minister, tasking him with increasing combat readiness, ensuring the transparent use of the defense budget, and developing a comprehensive military reform plan within 10 days. Tokayev criticized the incident as a result of professional negligence and lack of responsibility among the officer corps.
A special commission has been established to audit the Ministry of Defense, focusing on financial management and material-technical supplies. Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has detained five high-ranking military officials, including the first deputy commander of the Navy, as part of a criminal investigation into negligence and navigation violations. September 25 was declared a national day of mourning across the country.
Entities
Aydos Mirzahmetov · Caspian Sea · Dauren Kosanov · Kassym-Jomart Tokayev · Mangystau Region · Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] September 25 was declared a national day of mourning in Kazakhstan. www.haberaktuel.com · www.aksam.com.tr
- [● 3 SOURCES] President Tokayev ordered radical military reforms and the appointment of Aydos Mirzahmetov as the new Defense Minister. www.haberaktuel.com · www.medyagazete.com · www.aksiyon.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] A special commission was established to audit the Ministry of Defense's financial and material-technical status. fakti.bg · www.viva.co.id
- [● 2 SOURCES] 14 soldiers died during the 'Hazar Korgani-2026' military exercise in the Mangystau region of the Caspian Sea. www.haberaktuel.com · www.aksam.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The new Defense Minister has three priority tasks: transparent use of the defense budget, preparing a military reform plan within 10 days, and strengthening military discipline. www.aksiyon.com.tr
- [DISPUTED] President Tokayev dismissed Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov following the deaths of 14 soldiers. news.harianjogja.com · www.haberaktuel.com · fakti.bg · www.viva.co.id
- [DISPUTED] The tragedy occurred on September 24 when 17 personnel were swept into the sea due to sudden worsening weather and high winds. news.harianjogja.com · www.haberaktuel.com · fakti.bg · www.viva.co.id
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Five military command officials have been detained in connection with the incident. news.harianjogja.com