Russia Warns of Escalating Terror and Drug Threats from Afghanistan

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu issued a stark warning regarding the escalating security threats emanating from Afghanistan during the 21st Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Security Council secretaries’ meeting. Shoigu identified terrorism and drug trafficking as primary destabilizing forces for the region. He reported that between 18,000 and 23,000 militants, affiliated with over 20 different groups, remain active in Afghanistan, including approximately 3,000 fighters linked to ISIS. The Russian official highlighted the expansion of extremist networks, noting an influx of foreign fighters from Syria, particularly those of Uyghur, Tajik, and Uzbek origin. Additionally, Shoigu pointed to a surge in narcotics production, specifically synthetic drugs like methamphetamine, with over 30 tons seized at Afghan borders in 2025. He attributed continued drug cultivation to widespread economic hardship. Moscow expressed deep concern that this instability could spill over into Central Asia and other SCO member states, challenging the Taliban's claims of improved internal control and underscoring persistent regional anxiety over organized crime and terrorism.