Russian travel agencies have begun promoting vacation packages to Afghanistan, offering week-long trips for approximately $3,000, coinciding with Moscow’s increasing engagement with the Taliban-led administration in Kabul.
Recently, these deals have emerged on various Russian online platforms, providing organized tours for Russian citizens, with the initial group set to depart as soon as mid-July, according to the Telegram news outlet Shot.
The travel packages, priced at 235,000 rubles (around $3,000), have surfaced amidst the growing ties between Russia and the Taliban, which has been in control of Afghanistan since the U.S. troop withdrawal in 2021.
Last week, Russia became the first country to officially acknowledge the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, ruled by the Taliban.
Following this recognition, Russia has revealed plans for collaboration with the Taliban across various sectors, such as energy, agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure.
Officials have also explored ways to enhance trade and investment opportunities despite the ongoing international sanctions affecting the Taliban leadership.
The head of Russia’s civil aviation authority recently indicated that direct commercial flights between Afghanistan and Russia could soon be established, a step that would further solidify the relations between the two governments.
Since taking power, the Taliban has implemented a strict interpretation of Islamic law, significantly curtailing women’s rights, executing public punishments, and closing most girls’ schools.
The United Nations and several human rights organizations have denounced the regime’s actions as fundamental breaches of international human rights standards.
Moscow has committed to ongoing support for Kabul, including collaborative efforts to enhance regional security and tackle terrorism and drug trafficking.
Western nations continue to advise against all travel to Afghanistan, citing ongoing threats from militant groups, insufficient infrastructure, and the lack of consular support.
Russian officials have yet to make any public statements regarding the safety of these tours or whether there will be governmental oversight or assistance for citizens traveling to Afghanistan.
