Russia, Tajikistan Conduct Joint Counterterrorism Drills Near Afghan Border

Russian and Tajik military forces have completed a series of joint counterterrorism exercises near Afghanistan’s border, focusing on combating extremist groups in mountainous terrain, Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced on Friday.

The drills, which began on 7 April, took place at a training ground in Tajikistan and involved advanced military equipment, including Orlan-10 drones, tanks, artillery, and Mi-24 helicopters.

The exercises aimed to enhance the readiness of both nations’ troops to eliminate terrorist threats and conduct operations in rugged environments. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the drills included identifying the coordinates of a simulated enemy position, followed by targeted artillery strikes to neutralise the mock target.

Despite maintaining diplomatic and economic relations with the Taliban, who regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, Russia and Tajikistan remain wary of potential security risks, including the infiltration of extremist groups and weapons across their borders.

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a regional security alliance, has conducted multiple exercises in Tajikistan in recent years to address these concerns, citing the risk of militant spillover into member states.

In March 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Moscow, where he underscored Russia’s commitment to supporting the security of Central Asian nations.

Putin emphasised that Moscow could not remain indifferent to threats emanating from Afghan territory, highlighting the strategic importance of regional cooperation.