Security forces killed dozens of protesters and 18 police died during extraordinarily violent demonstrations in Kazakhstan that saw government buildings stormed and set ablaze, authorities said Thursday. Police were out in force again, including in the capital of Nur-Sultan, which was reportedly quiet, and Russian troops were on their way. Troops, protesters clashThursday evening saw renewed battles in Almaty's main square, occupied alternately by troops and hundreds of protesters throughout much of the day. A man walks past a car that was burned during violent protests in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Thursday. The swift deployment of Russian troops demonstrated the Kremlin's strategy of deploying force to safeguard its influence in the ex-Soviet Union.

Source: CBC News January 06, 2022 20:01 UTC