Photo: Abdul Hadi Roshan / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
An investigation published by The Insider in collaboration with Der Spiegel revealed that Russian military intelligence (GRU) financed Taliban attacks on US and international coalition forces in Afghanistan. As noted in the article, the Russians paid $200,000 for each dead coalition soldier, which is estimated to have cost tens of millions of dollars, L’Express reports .
Financing attacks through a network of intermediaries
The operation, which, according to journalists, had been operating since 2015, was coordinated by Lieutenant General Ivan Kasianenko, deputy commander of GRU unit 29155. The unit, known for its involvement in assassination attempts and sabotage in NATO countries, provided funding to the Taliban through a network of intermediaries in Tajikistan, China and Pakistan. The funds were laundered through a gemstone trading company in Moscow.
Afghan intelligence services have documented at least 17 attacks financed by Russia, including the December 2019 attack on Bagram base, which injured four US military personnel.
US silence: geopolitical considerations
Despite the CIA’s awareness of the GRU’s actions, the Trump administration decided not to escalate relations with Moscow. “Our services were aware of Russian interference, but feared an escalation of the conflict,” the former CIA official said.
Russia’s goal is to speed up the US withdrawal from Afghanistan
According to the investigation, Russia sought to weaken the international presence in Afghanistan. This was one of the factors that accelerated the agreement between the Trump administration and the Taliban to withdraw troops in 2020. As a result, the United States left Afghanistan in 2021, accompanied by chaos and the rapid fall of the pro-Western government.
Russia and the Taliban: Allies or temporary partners?
Today, Russia cooperates with the Taliban regime, despite the fact that it officially recognises them as a terrorist organisation. At the same time, according to investigators, GRU officers responsible for operations in Afghanistan are now playing a key role in establishing military cooperation between Moscow and Kabul.
