By Daud Khattak Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty October 15, 2026 Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in Islamabad this week for the first official visit by the country’s top domestic affairs official, highlighting growing concerns in Moscow about regional security on its southern flank. Kolokoltsev’s visit comes days after a meeting of the Moscow Format
Khaama: The Russian Embassy in Kabul said Saturday that it was concerned about the continuation of the military confrontation between the two neighboring countries. The statement came after Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan’s Kunar and Helmand provinces earlier this week. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed that at least 10 civilians were killed
Afghanistan International: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that Islamic State Khorasan is the main threat to Central Asia, saying it seeks to use Afghanistan as a base for expansion and the creation of a caliphate. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan International: After returning from Moscow, Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob said Pakistan would soon no longer dare attack Afghan territory, adding that implementation of a military cooperation agreement between the Taliban and Russia would begin shortly. At the same time, he stressed that the agreement was not a defence-security pact and should not cause
Khaama: Russia has offered to help ease growing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, saying it is ready to support political and diplomatic dialogue between Pakistan and the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. Alexander Venediktov, deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, made the remarks during a meeting with Azad Sajad Khan, deputy national security adviser to Pakistan’s
Amu: Alexander Bortnikov, head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), said on Tuesday that the ISIS regional affiliate in Afghanistan is actively recruiting citizens of Central Asian countries and labor migrants living in Russia. Speaking at a meeting of security chiefs from the Commonwealth of Independent States in Moscow, Bortnikov said ISIS-K, the group’s Afghanistan-based
8am: Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, has stated that approximately 18,000 to 23,000 fighters affiliated with more than 20 different groups are active in Afghanistan. The TASS news agency reported on Thursday, 14 May 2026, that Sergei Shoigu made these remarks during a meeting of the secretaries of security bodies of
Khaama: Andrey Belousov has warned that Afghanistan continues to be a major source of cross-border crime and terrorist threats, highlighting growing regional security concerns. Speaking at a meeting of defense ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Belousov described the situation in Afghanistan as unstable and stressed the need for coordinated regional efforts to address emerging
Afghanistan International: Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan has urged the Taliban and Pakistan to cooperate in tackling terrorism, saying the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan is a real problem. Click here to read more (external link).
Ariana: Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has confirmed that Islamabad has asked Moscow to mediate in the ongoing conflict with Afghanistan. In an interview with Russian daily Izvestia, Tirmizi said Pakistan is engaging with Russia and appreciates the “wonderful offer” to help resolve tensions. He noted that proposals from Russia, China, Qatar, Turkey,