(17.5.2017) „The success of the Taliban in the north is due to Russian support. In Kunduz province, 30 miles from the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, Taliban has control,“ Kabul-based analyst Silab Mangal told Fox News. „That‘s where they get Russian finance and logistics and their wounded fighters can get treatment.“

According to Mangal, who cites personal engagement with Taliban in those areas, the Russians have given them weapons over time, including the Dragnov sniper rifle and the PTRS-41 anti-tank rifle.