"Withdrawal Complete by the 19th"... Early Withdrawal Decision
Russia's Influence Expected to Strengthen in Former Soviet States
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] The peacekeeping forces of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which were deployed to suppress the unrest in Kazakhstan, have begun withdrawing. With Russia accepting the Kazakh government's request for rapid deployment and early withdrawal, it is expected that Russia's position and influence in the former Soviet states will be further strengthened.
According to Russian news agency TASS on the 13th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Defense announced in a statement that the Russian airborne troops deployed to Kazakhstan have started withdrawing, and the withdrawal will be completed by the 19th. These units are reported to be withdrawing using Russian Air Force Ilyushin (IL)-76 military transport aircraft.
Earlier, on the 6th, the CSTO, a security organization of former Soviet states led by Russia, dispatched a peacekeeping force of about 2,500 personnel to Kazakhstan at the request of the Kazakh government. Over the past week, they suppressed protesters in Kazakhstan and carried out duties such as guarding key government offices and social infrastructure facilities.
President Vladimir Putin also approved the Ministry of Defense's decision to withdraw, stating, "Our troops have completed their mission and it is time to return home." The early withdrawal is interpreted as a response to growing anti-Russian sentiment inside and outside Kazakhstan due to the Russian military's harsh crackdown and concerns over a prolonged deployment.
In addition to the Russian troops, soldiers from Armenia, Belarus, and Tajikistan who were dispatched as peacekeepers are scheduled to return to their home countries on Russian transport planes, while the Kyrgyzstan units, which are adjacent to Kazakhstan, will return independently, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.
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