Russian military refuse to return from Kazakhstan: they do not want to fight in Ukraine – Ukrainian Intelligence

Saturday, 27 August 2022, 15:04

ROMAN PETRENKO SATURDAY, 27 AUGUST 2022, 15:04

Russian military personnel who were deployed in Kazakhstan are refusing to return so as not to participate in the war against Ukraine.

Source: Main Intelligence Directorate on Telegram

Details: The Russian military contingent deployed in Kazakhstan is refusing to return to its places of permanent deployment. The formal reason for their refusal is the lack of military air transport, which is fully engaged in the war against Ukraine.

According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the troops stationed in Kazakhstan do not want to replenish the ranks of the occupying forces in Ukraine, but Russian command does not want to abandon its intentions to completely withdraw the troops from Kazakhstan, sent there during the suppression of the January rallies against the current government.

Intelligence reports that there are almost 1,000 armed and fully equipped Russian troops in Kazakhstan. Their work consists of guarding airfields, military training grounds, oil depots, the Baikonur Cosmodrome, etc.

Defence Intelligence knows that the Russian Federation has almost completely withdrawn its military contingents, weapons and equipment from the territories of Tajikistan and Armenia to participate in the war against Ukraine.

Read also: Revolution or Russian occupation? What is happening in Kazakhstan and what to expect

Not yet an occupation, but an intervention: what will be the consequences of the introduction of Russian troops into Kazakhstan

Why is the Kremlin establishing control over Kazakhstan?

Background: 

  • Protests in Kazakhstan began on 2 January. On 5 January, the government of Kazakhstan was dismissed, and people seized the akimat (administration) in Almaty. Later it became known about the capture of the Almaty airport. The city authorities have launched an "anti-terrorist operation". A state of emergency was introduced throughout Kazakhstan.
  • On 5 January, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, appealed to the member countries of the Collective Security Treaty with a request to introduce troops to fight against "terrorists". Russia sent its troops to suppress protests in Kazakhstan. Belarus also sent military personnel on Russian planes. Later, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan adopted the same decisions. 
  • As of 7 January, the authorities of Kazakhstan declared that they had almost suppressed the protests and restored "order". Tokayev ordered the army to fire on the protesters.
  • On 10 January, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at a session of the Collective Security Council, announced the full restoration of order in his country after the "coup attempt". He announced that the withdrawal of troops will begin on 13 January and will last "just over 10 days."
  • On 19 January, Russia announced the completion of the withdrawal of its "peacekeeping" troops from the country; Tokayev cancelled the state of emergency in the country.

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