The first Russian units of the CSTO peacekeeping forces arrived in Kazakhstan. TASS reports.
According to the media outlet, they were recently delivered by planes of the Russian aerospace forces. The Ministry of Defense of Russia confirmed the information to journalists.
RIA Novosti notes that the units of the 45th separate brigade of the special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces, Ivanovsky and Ulyanovsky formations of the Airborne Forces were sent to Kazakhstan as part of the CSTO forces.
Mass protests in Kazakhstan began in the first days of January 2022. Residents of Zhanaozen and Aktau in Mangistau region opposed the sharp rise in prices for liquefied gas. Protests began in other cities of the republic. On January 4-5, clashes with security forces occurred in Almaty, the police used tear gas and stun grenades. The authorities turned off the Internet, and some TV channels temporarily stopped broadcasting.
The government resigned. The Chairman of the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan was replaced, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev became a new chairman instead of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The president declared a state of emergency in the country on January 5. On the night of January 6, the head of Kazakhstan held a meeting of the Security Council, at which he called the situation in the republic «undermining the integrity of the state». He said that he asked the CSTO for help «in overcoming the terrorist threat.» The CSTO Collective Security Council decided to send peacekeeping troops to Kazakhstan. Members of the organization have already begun deployment of their units to Kazakhstan.
