The first units of Russian paratroopers as part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) peacekeeping forces deployed in Kazakhstan to protect socially significant objects during the recent unrest, have flown by four Il-76MD military transport aircraft from Almaty to the Russian city of Ivanovo, Russia's defense ministry said on Thursday.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday said the withdrawal of CSTO peacekeeping forces would be completed on January 19, the Interfax news agency reported.