Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dismissed two deputy ministers of defense and the commander of Kazakhstan's Naval Forces. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.

The personnel changes at the Ministry of Defense were made after a tragic incident in the Caspian Sea.

By orders of the head of state:

  • 01Kanysh Asankhanuly Abubakirov was relieved of his post as First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
  • 02Almaz Dzhenishevich Dzhumakeev was relieved of his post as Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
  • 03Kanat Serikkaliuly Niyazbekov was relieved of his post as Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Caspian tragedy

On September 24, during military exercises, 17 servicemen were swept away by a sea wave. Three of them were rescued, and 14 servicemen died.

September 25 was declared a Day of National Mourning in Kazakhstan.