Tokayev demands military reform plan after troops die in Caspian

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the leadership of the Defense Ministry after 14 servicemen died during exercises in the Mangystau region. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The head of state instructed the preparation of a military reform plan and demanded a check into who developed and approved the concept of the exercises.

The meeting began with a moment of silence. Then the president introduced the new defense minister, Aidos Myrzakhmetov, to the ministry's leadership.

On September 24, during exercises on the Caspian coast, the wind carried 17 servicemen out to sea. Three were rescued, 14 died. After the tragedy, Tokayev dismissed Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov and ordered a comprehensive inspection of the ministry.

The president posthumously awarded the deceased sailors with the Orders of "Aibyn" II degree named after Bauyrzhan Momyshuly and "Aibyn" III degree named after Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev. The three surviving servicemen were awarded the medal "For Courage" ("Yerligi Ushin").

Earlier, Kursiv wrote that five officers of the Defense Ministry of Kazakhstan were detained in the case of the sailors' deaths. The criminal case, opened under articles on negligence and violation of navigation rules, is under special control of the Prosecutor General's Office.

The tragedy occurred on September 24, 2026. During exercises on the Caspian coast, due to a sharp deterioration in weather, the wind carried 17 servicemen out to sea. As a result of the rescue operation, three servicemen survived, 14 died.

After the tragedy, the head of state dismissed Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov. In addition, he ordered a comprehensive inspection of the Defense Ministry.

The president decided to award the deceased sailors. They were posthumously awarded the Orders of "Aibyn" II degree named after Bauyrzhan Momyshuly and "Aibyn" III degree named after Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev. The three surviving servicemen were awarded the medal "For Courage" ("Yerligi Ushin").

Earlier, Kursiv reported that five officers of the Defense Ministry of Kazakhstan were detained in the case of the sailors' deaths. The criminal case, opened under articles on negligence and violation of navigation rules, is under special control of the Prosecutor General's Office.

Thus, questions are being raised in Kazakhstan about the safety and organization of military exercises. The president's instruction is aimed at preparing a military reform plan and establishing who developed and approved the concept of the exercises.