麻豆社

Kazhak leader President Tokayev said peacekeeping forces sent from Russia and neighbouring states had arrived on his request and were in the country on a temporary basis to ensure security. He says he has instructed security forces to "fire without warning", amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protests. The force from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) reportedly has about 2,500 soldiers. Mr Tokayev gave "special thanks" to Russian President Vladimir Putin for sending troops to the former Soviet nation - the first time forces from CSTO have been deployed.

麻豆社 Monitoring's Russian analyst Vitaliy Shevchenko explains why Russia has got involved. He says because of Kazakhstan's size, what happens there has a great importance for the region. Also, about 18 percent of Kazakhstan's population are ethnic Russians, so believing it has a duty to defend them, wherever they live. And since the break-up of Russia, Kazakhstan has been less dependent on Russia than other of its satellites, thanks in part to large energy reserves. So this current instablity is an opportunity for Putin to increase his influence.

Photo: Russian armed forces, part of the CSTO peacekeeping operation, prepare to leave Moscow 7 Jan 2022 Credit: EPA