Russia on Wednesday sounded the alarm over the growing threat of cross-border terrorism and extremist infiltration from Afghanistan, warning that the deteriorating security situation poses a direct danger to neighboring states and the wider region.
Speaking at the 13th meeting of Security Council secretaries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Moscow, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, said that while integrating Afghanistan into the regional economic framework is important, the menace emanating from Afghan territory has become a serious and persistent challenge.
Shoigu emphasized that Russia continues to extend humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and acknowledges the Taliban’s administrative control. However, he cautioned that “the danger of fighters from terrorist and extremist groups infiltrating CIS member states from Afghan soil persists,” calling for urgent, coordinated regional action to prevent further destabilization.
“The risks are not abstract,” he said, warning that terrorist networks operating from within Afghanistan remain active and capable of striking beyond its borders. Shoigu underscored that addressing these threats requires collective vigilance, enhanced intelligence sharing, and stronger border protection mechanisms among regional states.
He also noted that the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is currently implementing a targeted program to fortify the Tajik-Afghan border, a critical line of defence against narcotics trafficking and the movement of armed militants. Moscow views this initiative as vital to containing the threat emanating from Afghanistan.
Russian officials have repeatedly voiced concern over the growing footprint of Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) and other extremist groups in Afghanistan, warning that the Taliban’s inability to curb militant sanctuaries and cross-border activities is deepening regional insecurity.
In recent months, Moscow has intensified its diplomatic efforts to engage regional partners on Afghanistan’s instability, urging a united front against the export of terrorism, drug trafficking, and extremist ideology from Afghan territory.
