The relationship between Russia and the United States has been fraught with tension for decades, marked by geopolitical rivalries, proxy conflicts, and covert operations.
Despite occasional attempts at diplomacy, trust between the two nations remains elusive, especially as allegations of interference and hostility continue to surface.
One recent revelation adds to this volatile dynamic, shedding light on an alleged Russian campaign targeting U.S. interests abroad.
$200,000 For Each Soldier
Reports indicate that Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, funded attacks on U.S. and coalition soldiers in Afghanistan.
According to Digi24 the GRU offered bounties of $200,000 for each soldier killed, using a clandestine network disguised as a gemstone trading company to funnel money to the Taliban and other groups.
The program allegedly operated between 2016 and 2020, during a period of heightened conflict in Afghanistan.
The GRU’s Unit 29155, notorious for acts of sabotage like the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in the UK, is said to have managed the operation.
Afghan intelligence agency NDS provided crucial details to the U.S., revealing that couriers transported funds to militants.
Arrests made by the NDS in 2019 reportedly disrupted parts of the network, but key players, including courier Rahmatullah Azizi, fled to Russia with GRU assistance.
The report shows Russia’s evolving role in Afghanistan.
Initially, Moscow leveraged Soviet-era ties within Afghan security forces, but these connections lost their effectiveness after reforms led by the U.S.
The GRU then pursued direct contact with Taliban commanders, providing funding, weapons, and operational support.
Estimates suggest that the GRU paid at least $30 million to the Taliban, with additional funds directed to other groups opposing the U.S.-backed Afghan government.
These payments coincided with peace negotiations between the Trump administration and the Taliban. While the Taliban denied receiving external funding, U.S. intelligence reported on Russia’s involvement in 2020.
