The virtual meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council has started, with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev describing the events in his country as a "turning point" for the organization.
He noted that "the main goal of the terrorists was to overthrow the constitutional order, attempt a coup", with Almaty as their primery target.
Almost immediately after Tokayev asked for help, the CSTO decided to deploy a peacekeeping contingent in Kazakhstan, with Armenia sending 100 troops to Kazakhstan as part of the contingent.
Throughout the mission, the Armenian peacekeeping unit will only protect buildings and infrastructures of strategic importance, the Defense Ministry said.
Protesters stormed government buildings in Almaty on January 5 and fought running battles with police and the military, with officials saying hundreds of security officers were wounded and dozens killed.
