Kazakhstan unrest: Russian troops fly in as crackdown continues
Russian-led forces have arrived in Kazakhstan at the request of the country's authoritarian leader, amid a crackdown on anti-government protests.
The interior ministry said 26 "armed criminals" had been "liquidated" and 18 security officers killed in the unrest, sparked by a fuel price hike.
The UN, US, UK, and France have called on all sides to refrain from violence.
The internet is down, and little independent information is coming through. More than 3,000 people have been arrested, the interior ministry said.
According to local media, 70 checkpoints have been set up across the country.
As the protests escalated, President Tokayev appealed to the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) for support. The bloc includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan and Armenia.
The overseas force reportedly sent about 2,500 soldiers to Kazakhstan. The CSTO says the troops are a peacekeeping force and will protect state and military installations. They will stay in the country for several days or weeks, the Russian RIA news agency reports.
