Russian Defense Minister Warns "Afghan Neighboring Countries Must Prepare for Taliban Provocations"

Security Concerns in Central Asian Post-Soviet States
Uzbekistan Conducts Military Drills with Tajikistan

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu warned of the expansion of the Afghan armed group Taliban's influence and stated that all neighboring Central Asian countries must prepare for provocations from the Taliban. It is reported that in countries adjacent to Afghanistan, large-scale evacuations have continued due to intensified Taliban airstrikes, worsening security instability.

On the 10th (local time), according to Russian local media such as RIA Novosti, Minister Shoigu attended a youth forum event held in Solnechnogorsk, northwest of Moscow Oblast, and emphasized, "The Uzbek and Tajik armies must be ready to defeat Taliban provocations, and this is very important for Russia as well," adding, "There will be no attempts by the Taliban to cross the border and attack neighboring territories."

Shoigu's remarks are interpreted as a warning not to lower vigilance despite the recent Taliban delegation's visit to Moscow, where they expressed their intention not to threaten former Soviet states such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Russia conducted large-scale joint military exercises with the Tajik and Uzbek armies from the 5th to the 10th.

Russia is closely monitoring the Afghan situation, as it is concerned that if the Taliban takes control of Afghanistan, Islamic armed forces could infiltrate Russia via Central Asia, potentially destabilizing domestic affairs.

Russian foreign affairs expert Andrey Kazantsev pointed out through his country's think tank, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), that "the escalating instability in Afghanistan is causing serious security problems for Central Asian countries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.