After a tragedy on the Caspian Sea that claimed the lives of 14 servicemen, Kazakhstan's President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev dismissed three more senior officials, infohub.kz reports.
According to the Akorda, Qanysh 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. He was born on February 12, 1977, in the village of Turtkul in the South Kazakhstan Region (now Turkistan Region). Since January 4, 2024, Abubakirov had served as Deputy Minister of Defense for Logistics and Military Infrastructure, and in January 2026 he became First Deputy Minister of Defense.
In addition, Almaz Jumakeev was dismissed from the post of Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He was born on March 6, 1970, in the city of Przhevalsk in the Kirghiz SSR into a military family. From March 2022 until today, he served as Commander of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces. In March 2026, Qasym-Jomart Toqaev appointed Almaz Jumakeev as Deputy Minister of Defense.
Also relieved of his post was Kanat Niyazbekov, Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He holds the rank of Captain 1st Rank and was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces in August 2025.
Recall that on September 24, during a combat training exercise, sudden and sharp deterioration of weather conditions and gusty winds swept 17 servicemen into the Caspian Sea, 14 of whom died. Three were rescued. After the tragedy, Dauren Kosanov was removed from the post of Minister of Defense. Aidos Myrzakhmetov was appointed in his place.