Photo: TASS / Maksim Grigoryev
On August 25, the Ministry of Defense of Russia organized the evacuation of 500 Russian citizens as well as citizens of Collective Security Treaty Organization, Belarus Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and Ukraine from the Afghan capital Kabul.
Four Russian military transport aircraft airlifted the Russian and ex-Soviet citizens from Hamid Karzai International Airport.
According to the Russian MoD, the four aircraft were carrying medical personnel and supplies to provide the necessary medical assistance in flight. In addition, the aircraft were equipped with a supply of drinking water, blankets and individual food rations.
Russia has begun the evacuation of more than 500 Russian & CSTO countries’ citizens from Afghanistan.
Below, photos of Ilyushin Il-62M & Il-76 planes of the Russian Air Force at the Kabul International Airport today. pic.twitter.com/NFcqwjhla9
— Status-6 (@Archer83Able) August 25, 2021
Video of citizens from Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and CSTO countries being loaded onto Russian Il-76MD aircraft in Kabul earlier today. 121/https://t.co/jFC77hgyDL pic.twitter.com/NJkiFzY3t8
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) August 25, 2021
And a report from Turkey’s Anadolu news agency of the four Russian aircraft that evacuated 511 people from Kabul today. You can see American soldiers nearby. 118/https://t.co/RQo3JXYSC4 pic.twitter.com/gU8BGLY12c
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) August 25, 2021
In a related development, the Russian Embassy in Kabul announced that it will request flights out of Afghanistan in September for Afghan students who are planning to study in Russia.
The Russian embassy is one of the few foreign missions left working in Kabul after the Taliban takeover on August 15. Many missions, including that of the US, are currently operating from Hamid Karzai International Airport, which is the last way out from the Taliban-held capital.
In his most recent press conference, President Joe Biden stressed that he will remain committed to the August 31 deadline to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. On August 25, the US withdrew around 400 troops who were securing Hamid Karzai International Airport.
From their side, the Taliban said that they are “not allowing the evacuation of Afghans anymore” and warned that the US must stick the withdrawal timeline.
The evacuation process will not likely be completed before August 31. However, Washington may opt to end the process leaving many who supported its operations in Afghanistan under the mercy of the Taliban.
