Afghan Taliban Military Delegation Attends Russia’s Center-2026 Strategic Military Exercises

MOSCOW/KABUL (Terror Monitor) — A high-level military delegation from Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Ministry of Defence has participated in Russia’s Center-2026 strategic military exercises following an official invitation from Moscow, according to a statement issued by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence.

The ministry said the delegation was led by Abdul Rahman bin Masoud, head of the Joint Military Training Command. During the visit, the delegation participated in activities associated with the exercises, observed different phases of the military drills and held meetings with military officials from participating countries.

According to the Afghan defence ministry, the visit was intended to strengthen professional military training, facilitate the exchange of experience and explore opportunities for cooperation in the defence sector. The ministry described the participation as taking place at the formal invitation of the Russian Federation.

The delegation’s visit represents another instance of military-level engagement between Russia and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, which has sought to expand its diplomatic and security contacts with regional powers since returning to power in August 2021.

The ministry did not disclose the full composition of the delegation or provide a detailed breakdown of the activities in which its members participated. It also did not announce any new military agreement, weapons procurement arrangement or joint training programme resulting from the visit.

Russia’s Center-2026 Strategic Military Exercises

Center-2026 is part of Russia’s series of major strategic military exercises designed to test the operational readiness, coordination and command capabilities of participating forces.

The exercises took place from September 28 to October 3, 2026, with activities conducted at military training grounds and other designated locations, including areas in Russia’s Central Asian strategic direction and the Caspian Sea region.

Russian authorities said the wider exercise involved more than 47,000 military personnel across 11 training areas. The drills were intended to assess the readiness of military formations, improve coordination between units and practise responses to potential security challenges.

The exercise included activities involving command structures, ground forces and other military capabilities. Foreign military representatives were also given opportunities to observe the proceedings and exchange professional experience with their Russian counterparts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin observed the active phase of the exercise at the Chebarkul training ground in the Chelyabinsk region on October 2, according to the Kremlin.

The Afghan Ministry of Defence did not clarify whether its delegation participated in active field manoeuvres or primarily observed the exercises and attended associated meetings.

Meetings With Foreign Military Officials

The Afghan delegation reportedly held meetings with military representatives from several countries participating in or observing Russia’s Center-2026 strategic military exercises. Discussions focused on military training, the exchange of professional experience, bilateral relations and potential opportunities for defence cooperation.

According to reports, the delegation held contacts with representatives from Russia, China, India, North Korea, Vietnam, Colombia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. However, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence did not publish a detailed account of the meetings or announce any specific agreements reached with the countries concerned.

The delegation also reportedly visited an exhibition showcasing military equipment, including heavy weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), long-range missile systems and robotic technologies. The visit provided Afghan officials with an opportunity to observe military equipment and training capabilities. However, no agreement to purchase or receive such equipment was announced.

The delegation’s attendance at the exercises does not necessarily mean that Afghan combat troops were deployed or participated in all phases of the military manoeuvres. The precise extent of the Afghan delegation’s involvement has not been publicly disclosed.

Expanding Russia–Afghanistan Military Contacts

Russia has maintained contacts with Afghanistan’s Taliban administration since the group returned to power in August 2021. Moscow has pursued engagement with Kabul on regional security, economic relations and cooperation against militant groups operating across the wider region.

The Taliban administration has also sought to expand its international engagement and establish working relationships with neighbouring countries and other regional powers.

Military exchanges and invitations to observe exercises provide opportunities for officials to discuss training, security concerns and professional cooperation. However, participation in Center-2026 does not, by itself, establish a formal military alliance between Russia and Afghanistan or indicate an agreement to conduct joint military operations.

Similarly, the visit does not establish that Russia has committed to supplying weapons, providing military assistance or launching a new bilateral training programme for Afghan forces.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence has not announced whether the delegation’s participation will lead to further military exchanges or formal defence agreements with Moscow.

The reported visit highlights continued military-level engagement between Russia and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, with both sides maintaining channels for discussions on professional training, defence cooperation and regional security.