Sayat Isanov has been appointed Commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan by order of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The Special Operations Forces Command was established by presidential decree on January 19, 2022, Qazinform News Agency reports.

The appointment comes after Tokayev dismissed three senior officials of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense from their posts.

The personnel changes come in the wake of a tragedy during the Khazar Qorgany - 2026 military exercises in Kazakhstan’s sector of the Caspian Sea.

On September 24, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea during the drills. Fourteen died, while three survived.

September 25 was declared a national day of mourning in Kazakhstan following the incident.