Photo: Tengrinews.kz
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has dismissed Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov and Transport Minister Marat Karabayev, according to a statement published on the presidential website, Akorda.
Lieutenant General Daulet Kosanov, the former commander of Kazakhstan’s Air Defense Forces and deputy to Zhaksylykov, has been appointed the new head of the Ministry of Defense. The president has already issued a set of directives to Kosanov, focused on “strengthening the army’s combat readiness, implementing digital solutions in the command system, expanding the capabilities of special operations forces, improving the effectiveness of social and ideological work, and modernizing military infrastructure,” according to the Akorda press service.
Zhaksylykov had served as defense minister since January 19, 2022. Prior to that, he was commander of the National Guard. No official explanation for his dismissal has been provided. Kazakh political analyst Daniyar Ashimbayev, writing on Telegram, noted that Zhaksylykov had recently been involved in a dispute over the procurement of military equipment from certain domestic companies.
Marat Karabayev had held the post of transport minister since September 2023, having briefly led the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development before that. Three weeks ago, following a meeting of the Security Council, Tokayev issued a formal reprimand to Karabayev over issues with freight processing at the country’s borders and the poor condition of many checkpoints.
The president’s office has not yet announced a replacement for Karabayev.
