Units of the CSTO collective peacekeeping forces that have arrived in the Republic of Kazakhstan have begun to carry out their assigned tasks, the Russian Defense Ministry reports. 

"Units of the peacekeeping contingent carry out tasks to protect vital facilities, airfields, and key social infrastructure facilities.

It has been agreed with Kazakhstan's side that servicemen of the collective peacekeeping forces of the CSTO are not involved in the operational and combat operations of the local law enforcement agencies and army units for establishing law and order in the country," the statement says.

The peacekeeping forces of the CSTO in Kazakhstan include units of the Armed Forces of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The Russian Defense Ministry and the Kazakh presidential administration stressed that the peacekeepers would not take part in military operations.