Russia sends troops into Kazakhstan as clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters turn deadly

Russia has sent military hardware and paratroopers to Kazakhstan as part of a "peacekeeping" mission following a plea from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Kazakh leader has vowed to quash massive protests across the country that started over gas prices, but have quickly spiraled into a much more significant challenge to the authoritarian leadership of the former Soviet Republic.

On Thursday the protests turned deadly. Police in Almaty, the country's biggest city, told local channel Khabar 24 that "dozens" of protesters had been "liquidated" following attempts to storm government buildings.

State TV said 12 law enforcement officers were also killed, including two who were purportedly found beheaded. More than 1,000 people were injured across the country, health officials said.