Astrakhan: New Gateway for Afghanistan Transit to Russia, Region

DID Press: Russia’s southern Astrakhan province is seeking to become a key transit hub for Afghanistan’s import and export goods.

Ilya Volinsky, Deputy Governor and Head of the Government of Astrakhan province, said in a meeting with Gul Hassan Hassan, the Taliban government’s ambassador in Moscow, that the region is prepared to provide all necessary facilities for the transit of Afghan goods through Caspian Sea ports and Russia’s transportation network.

Astrakhan, equipped with major port infrastructure and high-capacity terminals, supports the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), offering a reliable route for Afghanistan’s exports and imports to markets in Russia, the Caspian Sea region, Iran, and other countries.

This proposal marks a step toward expanding economic and trade cooperation between Russia and Afghanistan—an initiative that could significantly ease Afghanistan’s access to international markets.