ALMATY (Reuters – A variety of strategic facilities in Kazakhstan are now under the protection of a Russia – led military alliance. The invitation was made to restore order amid violence that has erupted in recent years.

Dozens have been killed, many have been detained, and several public buildings were set on fire in Central Asia. President Kassym Jomart Tokayev issued shoot-to kill orders last week to put an end to unrest which he attributes to bandits or terrorists.

Tokayev requested that the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation, (CSTO), send troops to restore peace. It comes during a time when tensions are high in Russia-U.S relations and before new talks about the Ukraine crisis.

In a statement, the president’s office claimed that “a variety of strategic facilities” were being transferred by Tokayev under the protection and control of the CSTO members.

The facilities were not identified.

Administration claimed that 5,800 individuals were detained in relation to unrest. These included “significant numbers” of foreign citizens. The administration stated that the situation has stabilized in all areas.

Protests against Tokayev in Kazakhstan started as an attempt to address a rise in fuel prices. They then spiralled into widespread opposition to Tokayev’s government as well as the man who replaced him as the president of Kazakhstan’s resource-rich ex Soviet republic, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Nazarbayev (81), was the longest serving ruler in any Soviet country until Tokayev took over as the president of the Soviet Union. It is believed that his family retained some influence over Nur-Sultan (the capital built for him), which was widely reported.

Tokayev resigned Wednesday from the position of head of Russia’s Security Council. This was a post in which he held significant influence.

Two-time Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Karim Massimov was once Kazakhstan’s intelligence chief. He has now been charged with treason.