Russia’s Security Assessment Raises Alarm
In its latest military-political review, Russia has estimated that nearly 23,000 militants are currently operating in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. According to the February 2026 report issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, more than half of these fighters are foreign nationals linked to international terrorist organizations.
The report identifies Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) as the largest groups active in Afghanistan. TTP is estimated to have up to 7,000 members, primarily based in southeastern and eastern regions, while ISKP reportedly commands around 3,000 fighters. Russia noted that TTP’s cross-border attacks are further straining relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Al-Qaeda Presence and Regional Impact
The assessment also highlights the continued presence of Al-Qaeda, which reportedly uses Afghanistan to host training camps and expand regional influence. Infrastructure linked to the group has been reported in several provinces, including Ghazni, Nangarhar, and Kunar.
Russia described the Afghan military-political situation as “difficult,” citing persistent terrorist activity. Notably, Russia remains the only country to have officially recognized the Taliban government since it took power in August 2021.
