Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Astana, the Kazakh capital, has been accompanied by a heavily guarded motorcade that included armored vehicles, helicopters and additional security units.
Videos and images published on Thursday by Russian media showed the convoy moving under heightened security measures.
According to Russian reports, the convoy included around 20 vehicles and 14 motorcycles.
An armored vehicle followed the main motorcade and was identified by analysts as a possible “Alan” armored vehicle equipped with a machine gun.
A representative from the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), a Russian investigative group, said the vehicle could also be a standard armored carrier without visible armament.
Another vehicle in the convoy carried equipment that analysts suggested could be used for electronic warfare or secure communications.
Meanwhile, a helicopter was seen monitoring the route from above.
Footage also showed security personnel and vehicles positioned along parts of the route, with some roads temporarily blocked.
Kazakhstan’s security authorities also announced traffic restrictions in Astana during the visit.
Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a state visit scheduled through Friday. On Thursday, he met Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev before holding bilateral talks.
Following the meeting, the two leaders signed a joint declaration outlining seven principles of cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as a deal to construct a nuclear power plant in the Central Asian nation – the first since the collapse of the USSR.
The document sets out long-term priorities for bilateral relations, including economic cooperation, Eurasian integration, cultural ties and shared historical links.