SECURITY — June 22, 2026
Russia Funds 8,000-Strong Special Unit Under Taliban Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada
Four thousand members are stationed in Zhari district of Kandahar while the rest prepare in Kabul, receiving higher salaries and equipment that includes helicopters and drones.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
Russia is paying for an 8,000-strong special unit established by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The unit operates outside the official Taliban security structures and falls under Akhundzada's direct command only.
The force is tasked with securing the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and carrying out operations against ISKP. It will also work to prevent ISKP Khorasan from entering Afghanistan.
Four thousand members are stationed in Zhari district of Kandahar province. Another four thousand are located in Kabul as they prepare for their roles.
Members of the unit are provided with higher salaries and advanced equipment. This includes night vision devices, vehicles, helicopters and drones. Recruitment for the unit begins at the officer level.
The development follows a military-technical cooperation agreement signed three weeks ago. Taliban Defense Minister Yaqoob Mujahid signed the agreement with Russia. Under its terms, Russia provides assistance while the Taliban commits to reducing ISKP threats to Central Asia.
The unit has been formed amid heightened tensions with Pakistan over the past eight months.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source relying entirely on anonymous informants ('sources say', 'two sources have told'); core claim of Russian funding for the unit is explicitly unconfirmed by the outlet; no on-record named officials or documents cited
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "to counter the activities of the Khorasan branch of ISKP and prevent the entry of members of this group into Afghanistan" and "extremely strained and tense" – these phrases use loaded security framing that implies threat and negativity without direct attribution, mixing reported claims with interpretive tension language.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Afghanistan International
Originating
Framed
Framed
Filed under
Security — Hibatullah Akhundzada, Russia, Taliban, ISKP, Pakistan border
Spotted an error or have more on this story? Tip the desk on Telegram → or WhatsApp →.
Reader supported
Keep Ehtebar running
Every published story uses paid tools to translate reporting, compare sources, extract claims, and produce a clearer read on Afghanistan. Reader support helps keep that work independent.
€5
helps cover daily verification runs
€15
supports a week of source comparison
€50
keeps independent analysis moving
