October 4, 2026

The Taliban, Afghanistan’s ruling movement, is purchasing weapons and drones from Belarus with Russia’s consent, with India acting as an intermediary in the deals, Afghanistan International reports  , citing five former high-ranking Afghan officials. 

According to them, contacts between Minsk and the Taliban intensified after the visit of the movement’s Defense Minister, Mohammad Yaqoub, to Moscow in late May and early June. During the visit, an agreement on military-technical cooperation was signed. The Russian side claimed that the document provided for the repair of Soviet military equipment remaining in Afghanistan.

A source close to the Taliban confirmed the agreements with Belarus and stated that Russia is involved in these cooperations. According to sources, the Taliban is interested in weapons and drones due to escalating tensions with Pakistan, and India, which is also in conflict with Pakistan, is sponsoring these deals.

A similar scheme was used under Ashraf Ghani’s government. A former high-ranking Afghan security official said that India purchased helicopters from Belarus for Afghan forces, repaired some of the equipment at Belarusian facilities, and transferred it to Kabul. Now, according to the source, the Taliban are attempting to use a similar mechanism.

Minsk is indeed expanding its contacts with the group. In August, a 13-member Taliban delegation, led by Acting Minister of Agriculture Ataullah Omari, visited Belarus. They participated in a meeting of the bilateral commission on trade and economic cooperation. The Taliban also approved the candidacy of a Belarusian ambassador. 

At the same time, Russia publicly acts as an ally of Pakistan and  condemns attacks on it by Taliban-linked groups, calling for a joint fight against terrorism.

(C)THE MOSCOW TIMES 2026