OREANDA-NEWS. Residents of Kazakhstan show interest in peacekeepers, help and often ask to be photographed. However, the Russian peacekeepers are forced to refuse as it is prohibited. On January 11, the commander of the unit guarding the Kazakhtelecom branch in Alma-Ata, Captain Denis Ivanov, told about this.

He noted that the peacekeepers are faced with the task of protecting the facilities - the task of preventing illegal armed formations from entering the television center, as well as looters capable of causing damage to the building and personnel.

Local residents welcomed the military and provide them with all-round assistance, respond to requests, which are usually of an everyday nature - to wash their hands and give them water.

“Attempts are made, but we are forbidden to take pictures, conduct dialogues with the local population,” the peacekeeper explained.

Ivanov added that Kazakhstanis are grateful to the peacekeepers. The military man called his feelings from being in Kazakhstan and participating in a peacekeeping mission "standard", because the soldiers are prepared for such events.

Earlier that day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the CSTO peacekeeping forces would complete their mission in Kazakhstan after the situation had completely stabilized and by decision of the republic's authorities. According to the minister, at present, the peacekeepers are performing tasks to protect important military, state and socially significant facilities on the territory of Kazakhstan.

Also on Tuesday, the president of the republic, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, said that the CSTO mission is planned to be completed within two days. The withdrawal of the peacekeepers will take about 10 days.

On January 10, he announced the restoration of constitutional order in the country. He pointed out that the republic has experienced a large-scale crisis, the most difficult in the history of independence, and noted that in the near future the large-scale anti-terrorist operation will be completed, and with it "the successful and effective mission of the CSTO contingent will end."