The ambiguous relationship between Moscow and the Taliban

A Russian developer of telecommunications equipment sanctioned by the United States installed 4G mobile network systems in Afghanistan last year to provide mobile services to nearly 10 million people.

This work highlights the increasingly close ties between Moscow and the Taliban since the Islamist group returned to power in 2021, following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

The installation by a Saint Petersburg-based company of a central 4G network—the core system required for mobile phones to operate—in Afghanistan marks the first time the company has exported its technology abroad.

But above all, it's a sign of the strengthening collaboration between the Kremlin and Kabul.

Russian lawmakers voted last December in favour of a law allowing the authorities to remove the Taliban from the list of organisations banned in Russia.

(MH with AnVa – Source: Astra – Photo: © DPA – Anadolu – Sefa Karacan)