– The integration (of the Afghan commandos, ed) into the Russian army will be a “turning point” on the Ukrainian battlefield, says a former senior Afghan security official. Foreign policy.
After the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in the spring of 2021, between 20,000 and 30,000 Afghan commandos remained behind. Most of these were stationed in Kabul.
Many of these were disappointed after the Taliban took power. They lost their livelihood overnight. Many were arrested or killed, while others went into hiding. The soldiers were trained by NATO forces and were considered the best trained and best equipped soldiers in Afghanistan.
– They have no country, no job, no future. They have nothing to lose
There are now reports that many of the soldiers are trying to be recruited for Putin’s bloody neighboring war with Ukraine.
– This makes them potentially easy for Russian recruiters to collect. They have no country, no work, no future. They have nothing to lose add several Afghan military and security sources Foreign policy.
Members of the commando corps of the national army of Afghanistan say they have been approached with offers to join the Russian army to fight in Ukraine.
Before the US handed over Afghanistan to the Taliban in August 2021, the US spent about NOK 1 trillion to build the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. The soldiers were trained by the United States Navy SEALs and the British Special Air Service, he writes Independent Kiev.
– They can make the difference Russia needs
When the United States evacuated thousands of soldiers and military equipment, only a few hundred senior officers of the Afghan security forces were evacuated. This created great bitterness and disappointment among the soldiers who had been under the protection of the United States and NATO.
When the Kabul regime collapsed, they were left to fend for themselves. This frustration is now trying to be exploited by Putin. These are the same soldiers who have fought side by side with American and other allied special forces for nearly 20 years.
– They can make the difference Russia needs on the Ukrainian battlefield, a source tells Foreign Policy.
– The Russians are the enemy, but what else will they do
Many of the commandos who are still waiting to be offered residence in the United States or the United Kingdom are therefore considered easy targets for those who want to recruit for Putin’s army.
– It would be better if they were used by the Western allies to fight alongside the Ukrainians. They don’t want to fight for the Russians. The Russians are the enemy, but what else are they going to do, asks a former Afghan commander.
It is the infamous Wagner group that, according to sources, will be behind the Russian recruitment of soldiers among the former special forces of Afghanistan.
During 20 years of war in Afghanistan, 66,000 Afghan soldiers lost their lives and at least 48,000 civilians were killed. 2,461 American soldiers also lost their lives in the fighting. Norway has also contributed militarily for many years. Several Norwegians sacrificed their lives in service, others were injured.
