 "Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon attend a meeting at the Palace of the Nation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on October 9, 2025. Reuters File")
Tajikistan is exploring the possibility of Russian troop deployments to help secure its volatile border with Afghanistan, according to a Reuters report, citing three Tajik security sources on Tuesday.
Discussions are reportedly taking place with Russia and a Moscow-led regional security bloc.
The move comes after a week of cross-border violence in which five Chinese citizens were killed and another five wounded near the Tajik-Afghan frontier.
China has urged its citizens, who are involved in mining and business operations in the area, to leave the border region immediately.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met with senior security officials on Monday to review the situation.
One source within the Tajik Security Council said authorities have discussed the potential deployment of forces from Russia’s largest overseas military base, located near the capital, Dushanbe, to jointly patrol the border.
“We are currently in talks. I think a decision will be made… this week,” the source told Reuters.
According to the report, two sources from Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security confirmed that the discussions with Russia could involve Moscow deploying helicopters to help patrol the country’s 1,344-kilometre (835-mile) border with Afghanistan, which passes through rugged mountainous terrain.
Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have indicated they will cooperate with Tajikistan on security measures along the border.
Historically, until the early 2000s, the Russian base and Russian border troops in Tajikistan were responsible for securing the frontier. Since 2005, Tajikistan has been independently guarding the border.
Quick Reads
View AllWith inputs from agencies