In Aktau members of the security forces have taken the side of the protesters. Eyewitnesses reported this on social media on 5 January, posting videos from the scene, Izvestia reported.

Law enforcers, according to the protesters, said they could not go against the people. A video showing the protesters seizing a military truck and forcing law enforcers out of it has also appeared on the Internet.

In Almaty, protesters attacked another ambulance that was on its way to a call. Related videos appeared in Telegram feeds.

Around 500 people, including 130 women and elderly people, were beaten during the riots in Almaty. 120 vehicles were burnt, including 33 ambulances and fire engines.

On Wednesday, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the mass disturbances in Kazakhstan. He expressed confidence that the country would be able to cope with its internal problems on its own.

Earlier in the day, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev imposed a state of emergency until 19 January. In addition, Tokayev signed a decree dismissing the government of the republic amid mass protests.

Protests in Kazakhstan began on January 4 and are still ongoing. On January 2, residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau took to the streets calling for lower fuel prices.

On January 5, protesters broke into the administration building in Alma-Ata and the city hall caught fire. Protesters in Almaty also set fire to the prosecutor's office and the office of the ruling party. In addition, protesters seized the presidential residence in Almaty. There are also clashes between protesters and police in the city center.