Russia Strengthens Cooperation with Taliban to Combat ISIS-K in Afghanistan

Russia is prepared to provide support to the Taliban in their battle against ISIS-K, the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State, as stated by Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to Afghanistan in remarks to state media on Friday.

Zamir Kabulov, Putin’s envoy, conveyed to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency that the Kremlin recognizes and values the Taliban’s efforts in combating ISIS-K.

«This organization, which adheres to an extremely radical ideology of global jihad, poses a mutual threat to both Russia and Afghanistan,» he reportedly noted.

«We will extend all possible support to the governing authorities of this nation through specialized agencies,» Kabulov added.

ISIS-K claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a concert hall in Moscow in March 2024, resulting in 145 fatalities. In the aftermath of this incident, Putin labeled the Taliban as Russia’s «partner» in the fight against terrorism.

Since the Taliban regained control in 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Russia has steadily developed its relationship with the group.

On April 17, Russia’s Supreme Court delisted the Taliban from its catalog of terrorist organizations, a designation that had been in place since 2003.

While this action did not equate to a formal acknowledgment of the Taliban’s government, it signifies the Kremlin’s pivot towards forging new regional partnerships following its invasion of Ukraine, which has strained relations with traditional allies.

Several Russian officials have also urged the West to consider lifting sanctions imposed on the Taliban.

During the 1980s, the Soviet Union engaged in a decade-long military campaign in Afghanistan, which led to the rise of mujahideen fighters, many of whom later became leaders within the Taliban. Historians frequently argue that this conflict contributed to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.