Kazakhstan's President Dismisses Deputy Defense Minister and Air Force Commander

President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev has dismissed the Deputy Minister of Defense responsible for armaments and military equipment.

Other personnel changes also took place within the Ministry of Defense, reports Orda.kz, citing Aqorda.

The now-former Deputy Minister, Bakytbek Sydykov, had been appointed to the position on June 29, 2023. Born in October 1969 in Oskemen, Sydykov began his military career in the Soviet Army as a cadet at the Vladikavkaz Combined Arms Command School.

He later graduated from the Military Academy of Armored Forces and the faculty of military and public administration at the National Defense University.

Since 1991, he has served in various command and administrative roles — from leading a motorized rifle platoon to heading armored forces departments, weapons and military-technical policy divisions, and serving as Deputy Commander of the "East" and "South" regional military commands.

He also worked at the CSTO Joint Staff. Sydykov was awarded the rank of Major General in 2023 and is a recipient of the “Aybyn” Order, 2nd Class.

In addition, Ruslan Kunurov was relieved of his position as Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, a post he had held since September 26, 2022.

By order of the Head of State, Askar Izbasov has been appointed Commander of the Air Force of the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
announced Aqorda.

Original Author: Alina Pak