Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dismissed Defence Minister Dauren Kosanov following the deaths of 14 servicemen during a naval exercise on the Caspian Sea.
The presidential press service announced the decision on Sunday, 27 September, stating, “Kosanov Dauren Zhumatyevich has been relieved of his post as defence minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.”
The tragedy occurred on 24 September in the Mangystau Region, when 17 servicemen were swept into the sea during military exercises off Kazakhstan’s Caspian coast.
Fourteen died, while three others were rescued.
According to investigators, the servicemen were thrown into the water as they were disembarking from a boat while weather conditions were deteriorating.
The incident has prompted a criminal investigation, with five Defence Ministry personnel detained, including the navy’s chief of staff and first deputy commander-in-chief.
Kosanov had served as defence minister since 2025 and was reappointed by Tokayev in September, shortly before the fatal exercise.
Following the incident, Tokayev ordered a commission on 26 September to conduct a comprehensive review of the situation at the Defence Ministry.
The deaths have raised questions about the organisation of the exercise and the safety measures in place as conditions at sea worsened. The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and the responsibility of military officials.
The Caspian Sea is Kazakhstan’s only coastline and is strategically important to the country, which maintains naval forces there to protect its maritime interests and infrastructure.
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