Russia Warns of 20 Active Terrorist Groups Operating in Afghanistan

DID Press: Russia has issued a fresh warning over the security situation in Afghanistan, saying the country remains a significant source of instability and a growing threat to regional security due to the continued presence of numerous militant organizations.

According to Pyotr Ilyichev, Director of the Department for New Challenges and Threats at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, around 20 terrorist groups with an estimated 20,000 to 23,000 fighters are currently active in Afghanistan. He said many of these organizations are designated terrorist entities and have been linked to numerous attacks and serious human rights violations.

Speaking at the 19th Meeting of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Structures of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Ilyichev warned that militant groups are increasingly gaining access to advanced technologies, including commercial satellite communications and artificial intelligence-based tools, which could significantly enhance their operational capabilities and expand security threats across the region.

He further cautioned about the risk of cross-border attacks and organized efforts by extremist networks to radicalize vulnerable segments of societies in neighboring countries.

The Russian official also highlighted the growing nexus between terrorist organizations and transnational criminal networks. According to him, activities such as drug trafficking, illicit arms trading, smuggling of precious stones and metals, and wildlife trafficking are providing additional financial resources to militant groups, making counterterrorism efforts more complex and challenging.