Putin recruiting Afghan veterans snubbed by Britain for Nato secrets and techniques
A former Afghan colonel has revealed he rejected a suggestion by a Russian intelligence company of money, a brand new passport and relocation to Russia “or anywhere in Europe”.
He had been hoping as a substitute for a UK visa. With that dream now shattered, and his household barely in a position to afford to place meals on the desk, he says that he regrets his determination.
Col Ahmad Ahmadi rose shortly via the ranks of Afghanistan’s military, changing into a Lieutenant Colonel in simply 4 years.
As a authorized adviser to the Kabul Air Brigade and a member of the Afghanistan Airstrike Targeting Board, he labored alongside senior RAF and US Air Force officers on the Joint Operational Intelligence Centre in Kabul to pick out targets and co-ordinate main strike packages towards Taliban insurgents.
But the collapse of the federal government in August 2021 left senior officers, who had not succumbed to corruption, destitute and on the run from Taliban killers. Fearing for his life and compelled to offer for his household, Ahmad fled to Iran to work.
And it was in Tehran, two years later, that he was approached by an Afghan businessman working for Russian intelligence.
“My first contact was through Facebook,” stated Ahmad, from his house in Afghanistan.
“The man introduced himself as an Afghan businessman normally resident in Russia, and said he had an opportunity for me.
“I thought he was a human trafficker who could get me to the West so I agreed to talk on WhatsApp.” It quickly turned clear that the person, purporting to work for a corporation referred to as GSK Management Company, was not what he appeared.
“Although our chat was general at first, he revealed that he knew a lot about my military background. “I suspect he was told this by another Afghan officer.”
The “businessman’s” intentions quickly turned clear. “He showed me a link to an article about EUCOM, the US European Command, which was co-ordinating aid to Ukraine through multinational logistics cells, and began to ask me about my experiences in co-ordinating and planning strikes with the Nato-style air strikes planning system.
I began to understand. When you have the right co-ordination between different logistical, combat and support resources you can fight faster and respond to threats faster.
“It was six months after the invasion of Ukraine, and Russia had already removed two generals. It could not establish the necessary co-ordination in the logistics, combat and support forces.
“Ukraine suffered less from this challenge because its forces had the support and advice of Nato.” In November final yr, the centerman lastly confirmed his hand.
“I was offered a few thousand dollars in travel expenses and invited to go to Russia, where I would meet senior individuals. I was told they would offer me and my family new passports and a relocation package in Russia.
If I didn’t want to live in Russia I would eventually be given a new home anywhere in Europe.” Ahmad was advised to indicate a letter of introduction – seen by the Sunday Express – to the Russian embassy in Tehran, which might grant him visas for St Petersburg.
It was a tempting supply as a result of as he had refused to renew his duties as authorized adviser to the Afghan Air Force beneath Taliban management, Ahmad’s household had been evicted from the property they owned.
“It was our only capital in the world. Now my family has to pay rent to live in another house.” One of his brothers was tortured and ultimately fled with Ahmad to Iran.
Ahmad stated: “In the past two years I borrowed more than $20,000 (£16,000) to cover my family expenses, with double interest. In such a situation, it was very difficult to convince my family – and even myself – that saying no to the Russian proposal was right, normal and moral.
“But I am no lover of dictators and certainly not of Vladimir Putin. Also, I worried that collaborating could make me a human rights violator.
So I refused. I was bombarded with messages to reconsider, and they increased the financial offer, but I refused, hoping my loyalty would help me to get a visa in the UK. It did not.”
Despite a glowing advice from an RAF Wing Commander, Ahmad’s hopes have been dashed as a result of he had not labored immediately for UK forces. He met the identical destiny with a US software.
Now his future rests with discovering underground work in Afghanistan, the place he was pressured to return after work in Iran and Pakistan dried up.
“When I see the situation facing my family and the indifference of Western countries I have always considered friends, I think that maybe by not going to Russia I made a big mistake,” he stated.
Justin Crump, CEO of the Sibylline strategic danger group, warned of the risks of ditching those that have helped the trigger.
He stated: “If we abandon allies, we also abandon the information they possess. While this colonel may have rejected it, it’s little wonder if others actively take up such offers.”