Ruslan Jaqsylyqov

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Ruslan Fatihūly Jaqsylyqov is a Kazakh colonel general who served as the Minister of Defence from January 19, 2022, to June 8, 2025. He was born on March 4, 1966, in Kaskelen, in the Almaty Region.

Education and early career
- He trained at the Alma-Ata Higher Combined Arms Command School, graduating in 1987.
- He later studied in Russia at the Frunze Military Academy (specializing in command-staff operational-tactical military intelligence, completed in 1996) and the Military Academy of the General Staff (specializing in state security, completed in 2004).
- In 2003–2004, he served briefly as a member of the Shymkent City Mäslihat. He then held several key roles in the internal troops, rising from brigade commander to deputy commander, first deputy commander and chief of the main staff, and then full commander (2008–2013).

National Guard and internal offices
- From 2014, Jaqsylyqov headed the National Guard as commander-in-chief.
- On September 29, 2021, while leading the National Guard, he also became Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

Defence Minister
- After the 2022 unrest in Kazakhstan, he was appointed Defence Minister by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on January 19, 2022, replacing Murat Bektanov.
- On February 11, 2022, during a visit to an Almaty garrison, he awarded servicemen injured in the riots and said military personnel would continue serving in the Armed Forces.
- His term as Defence Minister ended on June 8, 2025, and Däuren Qosanov succeeded him.

Controversy
- In August 2019, Time.kz published a report alleging that, as a lieutenant-general, he extorted funds from V.S. GOLD COMPANY LLP, a contractor for meals for regional Kazakh National Guard personnel. The report claimed funds were misused and that some high-ranking officers, including Jaqsylyqov, led luxurious lifestyles at the company’s expense. These are unproven allegations reported by the outlet.