A new investigation reveals that Russia's GRU allegedly paid the Taliban millions of dollars to target US and allied troops in Afghanistan.
An investigation by the independent Russian news outlet The Insider and German newspaper Der Spiegel has revealed alleged collaboration between Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU , and the Taliban. The investigation suggests that between 2016 and 2019, Russia funded Taliban attacks targeting coalition troops, including American soldiers, as well as Afghan military forces.
According to the report, the GRU reportedly paid the Taliban $200,000 for each killed coalition soldier and smaller amounts for Afghan troops, totaling an estimated $30 million. The report details how the GRU operated through Unit 29155, which recruited networks of Afghan nationals as intermediaries between it and illegal armed groups. A gemstone trading company served as a front to run a network of couriers who delivered money to Taliban fighters and other militant groups. The couriers, according to the report, were then provided with Russian documents and granted asylum in Russia. Lieutenant General Ivan Kasianenko is identified as the head of this program. The operation, however, unraveled when Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) apprehended Afghan couriers working for Unit 29155.This investigation corroborates a 2020 report by The New York Times alleging that Russian intelligence offered bounties to militants to kill American and coalition troops. The White House expressed 'low to moderate confidence' in those claims in 2021, which Moscow vehemently denied. The Insider's findings shed light on Moscow's role in Afghanistan during the two-decade US war, culminating in the chaotic US withdrawal in 2021. Despite the Taliban being designated as a banned terrorist organization in Russia, Moscow has strengthened ties with the group since it seized power following the US withdrawal. This connection is expected to persist
RUSSIA TALIBAN GRU AFGHANISTAN COALIITON FORCES US TROOPS INTELLIGENCE BOUTIES
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Matt Gaetz Allegedly Paid for Sex With Multiple Women, Including a Minor, Used DrugsA congressional investigation found that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid for sex with multiple women, including a minor, and used illegal drugs. The investigation also alleged that Gaetz obstructed Congress.
Read more »
64-year-old woman allegedly paid 2 kids $5 to shovel her driveway, then assaulted themA 64-year-old woman was arrested after she allegedly paid two children $5 to shovel her driveway, gave them alcohol, then sexually assaulted them.
Read more »
64-year-old woman allegedly paid 2 kids $5 to shovel her driveway, then assaulted themA 64-year-old woman was arrested after she allegedly paid two children $5 to shovel her driveway, gave them alcohol, then sexually assaulted them.
Read more »
64-year-old woman allegedly paid 2 kids $5 to shovel her driveway, then assaulted themA 64-year-old woman was arrested after she allegedly paid two children $5 to shovel her driveway, gave them alcohol, then sexually assaulted them.
Read more »
64-year-old woman allegedly paid 2 kids $5 to shovel her driveway, then assaulted themA 64-year-old woman was arrested after she allegedly paid two children $5 to shovel her driveway, gave them alcohol, then sexually assaulted them.
Read more »
64-year-old woman allegedly paid 2 kids $5 to shovel her driveway, then assaulted themA 64-year-old woman was arrested after she allegedly paid two children $5 to shovel her driveway, gave them alcohol, then sexually assaulted them.
Read more »