ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Aidos Myrzakhmetov as the Minister of Defense on Sept. 27.
Myrzakhmetov was relieved of his previous position as part of his appointment as Defense Minister, Akorda reported.
He graduated from the Military Academy of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan in 2002. Since January 2024, he has served as Commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. Prior to that, he headed a department of the State Security Service. In May, President Tokayev awarded Myrzakhmetov the military rank of Major General.
Dauren Kossanov was relieved of his position as Defense Minister by presidential decree.
The appointment comes days after the deaths of 14 service members during naval exercises in the Mangystau Region on Sept. 24. The General Prosecutor’s Office is conducting a pre-trial investigation into the deaths of service members during the exercises.
On Sept. 26, by presidential order, a commission has been established to conduct a comprehensive review of the state of affairs at the Defense Ministry.
