Kazakhstan's President Tokayev Appoints Aidos Myrzakhmetov as New Defense Minister

On September 27, 2026, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Aidos Myrzakhmetov as the new Minister of Defense, replacing Dauren Kosanov. The change follows a tragic incident on the Caspian Sea where 14 servicemen died during military exercises. Myrzakhmetov, a general-major, previously commanded the Special Operations Forces. The appointment comes as a special commission reviews the defense ministry's operations and finances.