CSTO peacekeepers are leaving Kazakhstan, having adequately completed their tasks
Many experts are still wondering: what was it - meaning the rapid breakthrough of peacekeepers to Kazakhstan and their return. Especially zealous agreed at first almost before the occupation of the country, although the representatives of the CSTO acted strictly at the request of the authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan. But no one will argue that it was really an unusual, unexpected and successful operation for many.
What to hide, until now the CSTO was considered partly a paper organization with a sluggish life. Some decisions and resolutions were made, but no real exercises or military operations were carried out. Therefore, the mission in Kazakhstan turned out to be the first large-scale joint action to restore order in the fraternal republic. Although, in fact, Kazakh security forces were engaged in its guidance, and our guys, as well as representatives of Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, took the most important state facilities under protection. Military contingents of 2,030 people and 250 pieces of equipment were sent.
No one expected that these forces and military equipment would be deployed so quickly, and in an organized manner, without an emergency. Of course, this is primarily the merit of the Russian Aerospace Forces, a clear organization of actions, management and management of the operation, which was entrusted to the commander of the Airborne Troops of Russia, Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov.
Russian paratroopers have clearly worked out the mechanism of loading and unloading military equipment and personnel on board the IL-76, AN-124. Everyone saw how it went: calmly, in a businesslike way. Not a single failure, delay, unforeseen situation. This once again confirmed the thesis that the military machine of the Russian Armed Forces today is more debugged than ever, mobile, ready to operate at a great distance from the bases of deployment, at various theater of operations. Of course, the Syrian experience and numerous exercises of recent years have affected this.
In reality, the withdrawal of troops from the republic began on Thursday morning, January 13, and should end on January 19. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said this at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, the Head of State said that the peacekeeping forces had completed the task and it was necessary to return home. According to the Minister, the introduction of peacekeepers in Kazakhstan allowed the release of 1.6 thousand local security forces to fight the bandits who brought chaos to the country. The peacekeeping forces promptly secured 14 important facilities for the country – communications, energy, facilities that are responsible for the vital activity and capacity of the state.
Oleg Falichev
The newspaper "Military-Industrial Courier", published in issue No. 2 (915) for January 18, 2022
