Taliban military delegation reported to meet North Korean official in Russia
South Korean media have reported that a Taliban military delegation met a North Korean military official on the sidelines of a multinational Russian exercise and discussed military training and the “exchange of experience,” in what is being described as the first reported direct contact between the two sides.
According to the Yonhap news agency, the delegation was taking part at Russia’s invitation in the “Center 2026” exercise, which was held from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3, 2025, in several regions of Russia, including Chelyabinsk.
South Korean media reported that the delegation was headed by Maulvi Naseebullah Madani, commander of the Abdullah bin Masoud Joint Combat Training Center, who met with Ro Ki Chol, North Korea’s military attaché. NK News also reported that the meeting took place on the sidelines of an arms exhibition linked to the exercise, and that a photo released by the Taliban-run Ministry of Defense showed the two officials standing together.
The Taliban-run Ministry of Defense, without giving details of the meetings, confirmed only that its delegation met military representatives from several countries during the exercise, including North Korea, China, India, Vietnam, Colombia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. According to the ministry, the talks focused on “bilateral relations, exchange of military experience, specialized training and areas of cooperation.”
The contact was reported as sources say Russia has expanded ties in recent years with both the Taliban administration and North Korea. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement in June 2024, developing security and military cooperation between the two countries.
The Taliban administration had also declared neutrality after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On March 6, 2022, one day after the war began, the administration’s foreign ministry urged Russia and Ukraine to show restraint and resolve their dispute through dialogue.
