President Dmitry Medvedev issued the order after looters attacked Russian and Meskhetian Turkish villagers on the outskirts of the capital Bishkek in violence that claimed five lives as night fell on Monday.

Interim rulers who took control after the April 7 overthrow of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev are facing lawlessness around Bishkek and resistance from Bakiyev loyalists in the south.

Both Russia and the US operate military bases in the impoverished country of 5.3 million people, and the unrest has already disrupted operations at the US Manas air base supplying troops in Afghanistan.

"President Medvedev gave an order to Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov to take measures to ensure the security of Russian citizens in Kyrgyzstan," a Kremlin spokesman said, who added that the measures would include increased security for Russian interests in the country, where vigilantes have been roaming Bishkek.