Kairat Sadykov Appointed as Commander-in-Chief of Kazakhstan’s Air Defense Forces

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev has appointed Kairat Sadykov as Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of Kazakhstan’s Air Defense Forces, Orda.kz reports.

The appointment, made on June 18, is part of a reshuffle at the Defense Ministry following the dismissal of Ruslan Zhaqsylyqov.

Sadykov replaces Dauren Kosanov, who was promoted to and confirmed as Minister of Defense. Kosanov had held the role of Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defense Forces since December 2022 and had served as Zhaqsylyqov’s deputy since September 2024.

Former Minister

Zhaqsylyqov’s sudden resignation in early June came as a surprise, especially as his subordinates had just secured Senate support for a new law on territorial defense. Still, his time in office was marred by longstanding problems in the armed forces.

Following his departure, rumors circulated that Zhaqsylyqov had been detained, though these were not confirmed. A video later appeared online showing him calmly having lunch with his family.

The police have since launched an investigation into the dissemination of knowingly false information.

Controversies

Public criticism of the military has intensified in recent years. High-profile incidents include the deaths of conscripts, reports, and allegations of hazing, negligence, and opaque procurement practices. The cases of Yerbayan Mukhtar — who fell into a coma under unclear circumstances — and 19-year-old Dosymzhan Salimzhan— fatally wounded during a training exercise — sparked significant public backlash.

The Defense Ministry has also faced allegations of corruption and disputes with contractors. A criminal case was opened against the former head of the subsidiary “Askeri Qurylys” for embezzling 590 million tenge.

Separate investigations have targeted suspicious contracts for large-scale purchases of uniforms and jackets.

Moving Forward

Prosecutor General Berik Asylov stated that the army would move toward greater transparency and discipline.

Two major initiatives, “Law and Order in the Army” and “Digital Prevention,” are in development. These include plans to install video surveillance in military facilities, introduce body cameras for personnel, log medical commission decisions digitally, and expand communication channels for soldiers.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov