US Weapons for Beleaguered Russia courtesy Taliban

Asad Mirza

Asad Mirza

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on linkedin
Indeed war and political circumstances can make you sleep with your enemy, and despite different ideologies they can also make opponents strange bedfellows.

As per the reports of the British media, Russia is eyeing weapons left by the hastily withdrawing US forces in 2021 in Afghanistan. To secure these arms Russian diplomats are reported to be wooing the Taliban elements of the caretaker government in Afghanistan.

British tabloid The Sun reported last week, citing a Telegram channel that a ‘Kremlin insider’, has said that Russia is seeking weapons from Afghanistan, including those left behind by the US in 2021. Though Moscow denies these claims, Ukrainian and Western officials say Russia is facing a shortage of arms.

talibanReports claim that amid planning for an expected spring offensive, Russia has reportedly turned to the Taliban government in Afghanistan for weapons.

As per a US Department of Defence report, the American troops had left more than $7 billion worth of weapons and equipment when it pulled out of Afghanistan, reports CNN.

US arms for Russia

The Sun citing the Telegram channel, General SVR, reported that Putin has asked the Taliban for equipment left by the US. General SVR channel claimed, citing a Kremlin insider, that in exchange for arms, Putin will “recognise” the Taliban government.

“Putin is overseeing negotiations with the Taliban to recognise the Taliban government. In return, the Russian leadership is offering a major arms and military equipment swap,” General SVR claimed, reports The Sun.

Putin

General SVR, further stated that those aware of the negotiations say that the Taliban are “extremely surprised” by such proposals, however, they are discussing them in “earnest”.

This claim comes amid other conflicting reports claiming that Russia and Pakistan are stressing on the need for “practical engagement” with the Taliban. Some claim that Russia is considering recognising the Taliban government while others claim that it is not considering such a proposal for the time being.

If indeed these reports are true then it may come as a shot in the arm for the Taliban, as finally they’ll be able to get at least one former super power to recognise them and additionally they also might get some financial package from the Russians, money which is desperately needed by the Taliban government to function properly.

afghan
Taliban leaders

Reportedly, Russian presidential envoy for Afghanistan – Zamir Kabulov – met with Pakistani officials in Islamabad on 25 January and apprised them about his meetings with the Taliban in Kabul earlier this month.

Official Pakistani sources in the know of the meeting told Voice of America (VOA) that Kabulov said Russia will continue to engage with the Taliban but was not considering granting formal recognition to the rulers “for the time being”.

The Russian envoy “advised” the all-male Taliban to create a “politically inclusive” government and ease restrictions on women in order to move forward on the issue of their legitimacy, VOA reported citing sources.

US weapons in Afghanistan

As the US troops withdrew from Afghanistan amid the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, 70 per cent of American weapons as well as $48 million worth of ammunition provided to the Afghan forces were left in the war-torn country, Foreign Policy reported in April last year.

taliban

The military equipment included 23,825 Humvees and around 900 combat vehicles.

As many as 42,000 pieces of night vision, surveillance, biometric and positioning equipment were also left behind in Afghanistan, as per the report.

The officials familiar with the defence department report had said that it was unlikely for the Taliban to use the US weapons, which require technical support and specialised maintenance. But they had also expressed concerns about the Taliban fighters using small arms including automatic rifles

The Reality

The big question is whether Russia is actually short of weapons? No, claims the former Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev and now newly appointed head of the military-industrial commission that is monitoring weapons production for the war.

Hitting out at Western media reports that Russia is facing a paucity of missiles and artillery, Medvedev said earlier this week that Moscow’s weapons stocks were adequate to continue the fight in Ukraine.

Dmitry Medvedev

Reuters reported him as saying that our opponents are watching, they periodically make statements that we don’t have this or that … I want to disappoint them. We have enough of everything.

A video posted on the former president’s Telegram channel showed him taking a stock of Kalashnikov rifles, artillery shells, missiles and drones.Russian troops have also deployed Iran-made ‘kamikaze’ drones for their attacks in Ukraine.

Despite Russia’s denial, Ukrainian and Western military officials have claimed that Russia is facing a crunch of arms.

In December last year, Britain’s armed forces chief – Admiral Sir Tony Radakin – had said that Russia had planned for a “30-day war” and is now facing a “critical shortage” of artillery shells.

Also Read: Russia-Iran Defence Relations Gets a Boost

The Guardian had reported him saying that Russia faces a critical shortage of artillery munitions. This means that their ability to conduct successful offensive ground operations is rapidly diminishing.

When Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine, it was planned to be a blitzkrieg-like operation that would sweep the capital Kyiv. However, the fierce resistance by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) pushed the Russian troops to the fringes and made it a war of attrition that will complete a year next month.

The war has essentially proved to be a double whammy for Russia. Not only has the country lost a massive number of men and materials, but Moscow has also been unable to manufacture weapons at pre-war levels due to crippling sanctions.

Going by the daily estimates published by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, Russia has so far lost more than 3100 tanks, more than 6300 armoured vehicles, more than 2100 artillery, more than 1900 drones, and almost 300 military jets, to name a few.

Meanwhile, there are also reports that NATO is going to supply Ukraine with more superior tanks to counter a hotly predicted pre-spring Russian offensive.

___________

Also Read:

TRUTH VS FALSEHOOD: BBC – Who is afraid?

Mughal Gardens – Name Changed, But Why?

Industrialization versus Environmental Degradation

75 years of hope and despair

Punjab – How a deadly cocktail of Agri-Water-Energy nexus going to destroy it?

North Pole and the ideological conflict of RSS & Hindutva

Politics of Symbolism: Dalit Chief Ministers in India

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on linkedin
Asad Mirza

Asad Mirza

The author is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He was also associated with BBC Urdu Service and Khaleej Times of Dubai. He writes on Muslims, educational, international affairs, interfaith and current affairs.

Disclaimer : PunjabTodayTV.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayTV.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.

Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.

— Team PT

Author Related Post
Related Post

Copyright © Punjab Today TV : All right Reserve 2016 - 2024