Kazakhstan's defense minister dismissed after fourteen soldiers died in military exercises

The President of Kazakhstan, Kasim-Yomart Tokayev, dismissed Defense Minister Dauren Kosanov on Sunday following the deaths of 14 military personnel. The soldiers died during naval maneuvers conducted by the country's armed forces in the waters of the Caspian Sea.

The fatalities occurred earlier in the week as a result of a severe storm that struck the area during the training exercises. The high death toll prompted the immediate dismissal of the defense chief by the nation's leadership.