Kazakhstan's Defense Minister Ousted: A Surprise Move and Questions Remain

Kazakhstan's Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov Dismissed After Two Years in Office NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan – In a surprise announcement today, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Ruslan Zhaksylykov from his post as Minister of Defense. Zhaksylykov had served in the role since January 2022. The presidential decree provided no official reason for the dismissal. However, sources close to the presidential administration suggest the decision was made due to concerns over the pace of military modernization. "The President wants to see faster progress in upgrading our armed forces," said one source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Zhaksylykov's performance was deemed insufficient to meet these ambitious goals." The video also highlights the modernization of the Armed Forces that commenced during Zhaksylykov's time as Minister. His replacement, Lieutenant General Dauren Kosanov, is a combat pilot and the former commander of Kazakhstan's Air Force. This appointment signals a potential shift in strategic priorities for the country's military. The future direction of Kazakhstan's defense policy remains to be seen, but the change in leadership suggests a period of transition and potential reassessment.