Kazakh President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev met with Aidos Myrzakhmetov, who was appointed defense minister of the republic the same day. This is reported by infohub.kz.
According to the Akorda, during the conversation the head of state gave specific instructions on strengthening the country's defense capabilities, improving the combat readiness of the Armed Forces, and enhancing the military management system.
"The head of state paid special attention to the safety of military service. The president emphasized that preserving the lives and health of service members must be an unconditional priority for commanders at all levels," the statement said.
In addition, Qasym-Jomart Toqaev set tasks to improve the quality of professional training, develop military infrastructure, modernize weapons and equipment, and introduce modern technologies and digital solutions.
The president separately noted the need to strengthen educational work in the army, focusing on fostering responsibility, discipline, and devotion to the homeland among service members. Particular emphasis was also placed on social support for service members and their families.
On the same day, changes in the leadership of Kazakhstan's defense agency were announced: Dauren Kosanov was relieved of his post as defense minister, and Aidos Myrzakhmetov took his place. Earlier, Qasym-Jomart Toqaev signed an order to create a commission for a comprehensive inspection of the state of affairs in the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan following the deaths of service members in Mangystau.
Recall that on September 24, while performing a training-combat task, due to a sudden and sharp deterioration in weather conditions and gusty winds, 17 service members were swept into the Caspian Sea, 14 of whom died. Three were rescued, one was hospitalized. The day before, the regional health department reported that the patient had been taken to the Mangystau Regional Multidisciplinary Hospital, and his condition was assessed as stable but serious. Among the survivors are also 19-year-old Beket Kuandyk from Atyrau Region and Nikita Udalov from West Kazakhstan Region.