Protey, a Russian telecom equipment developer, installed 4G mobile network systems in Afghanistan last year, a development reported by the Vedomosti business newspaper on Thursday. The systems are designed to provide mobile services for an estimated 10 million people.
Protey has been subject to U.S. sanctions since last year, designated for operating in an economic sector identified as supporting Russia’s military-industrial base.
This work occurred amidst evolving relations between Moscow and the Taliban, which assumed power in Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. forces. On April 17, Russia's Supreme Court removed the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organisations, where it had been since 2003. This action by Russia's Supreme Court precedes formal recognition of the Taliban government.
The installation of a 4G core network in Afghanistan marks Protey's first export of its technology, according to Vedomosti. This core network was developed in collaboration with Russia's state telecom provider Rostelecom and is presented as a domestic solution intended to replace foreign hardware and software.
Protey's activity in Afghanistan follows the departures of major telecom suppliers such as Ericsson and Nokia, and the scaling back of operations by Chinese firms, including Huawei and ZTE, since the Taliban's return.
Rostelecom Vice President Alesya Mamchur stated that the Russian-made core network was installed in 2024 across four of Afghanistan's 34 provinces. The specific regions were not named. Mamchur indicated that the equipment is expected to facilitate mobile service for up to 10 million of Afghanistan's approximately 40 million residents.
Since the Supreme Court's decision, Russian and Taliban officials have discussed transitioning trade payments to national currencies, constructing railway lines, and rebuilding a Soviet-built highway connecting Kabul with northern Afghanistan and Central Asia.
India and Russia have discussed the timely delivery of the remaining S-400 air defence systems and upgrades to Su-30 fighter jets, alongside broader defence cooperation, during a key meeting at the SCO summit in China.
China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun has urged member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to push back collectively against what he called “hegemonic behaviour”, as defence ministers met for their annual summit in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao.
Russia and Ukraine have carried out a new prisoner exchange, officials from both countries confirmed on Thursday, following talks earlier this month in Türkiye.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed NATO’s new 5% defence spending target, saying it won’t have a major impact on Russia’s security and accusing the alliance of exaggerating the threat his country poses.
Turkmen and Russian foreign ministers met in Ashgabat on 25 June and signed a bilateral cooperation program for 2025–2026, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening political and economic ties.
The European Commission has warned Meta that it may face daily fines starting 27 June if its modified pay-or-consent advertising model fails to meet EU antitrust requirements under the Digital Markets Act.
The U.S. Supreme Court could decide on Friday whether to allow enforcement of Donald Trump’s order limiting birthright citizenship, a move that would end automatic citizenship for many children born on American soil.
Germany’s data protection commissioner has called on Apple and Google to block the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their platforms over illegal data transfers and privacy concerns.
Australian scientists have developed synthetic chemicals to attract crown-of-thorns starfish for mass removal, offering a safer, targeted method to protect coral reefs.
President Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Iran’s newly appointed ambassador Mojtaba Demirchilou, highlighting the strengthening of Azerbaijan-Iran relations and discussing broad prospects for cooperation across multiple sectors.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as part of a broader global security alert issued by Washington.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces struck three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, marking direct American involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
North Korea plans to attract Russian tourists after opening its long-delayed Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort to domestic travellers in July, amid deepening ties with Moscow.
Denmark’s Arctic chief has dismissed concerns over a U.S. takeover of Greenland but says more must be done to deter any Russian attack on the strategically vital Arctic island.
The U.S. Supreme Court could decide on Friday whether to allow enforcement of Donald Trump’s order limiting birthright citizenship, a move that would end automatic citizenship for many children born on American soil.
Liverpool have officially announced the signing of Hungarian international Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth, as part of the club’s strategic efforts to reinforce their defensive line ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.
India and Russia have discussed the timely delivery of the remaining S-400 air defence systems and upgrades to Su-30 fighter jets, alongside broader defence cooperation, during a key meeting at the SCO summit in China.
The European Commission has warned Meta that it may face daily fines starting 27 June if its modified pay-or-consent advertising model fails to meet EU antitrust requirements under the Digital Markets Act.
The U.S. Supreme Court could decide on Friday whether to allow enforcement of Donald Trump’s order limiting birthright citizenship, a move that would end automatic citizenship for many children born on American soil.
Germany’s data protection commissioner has called on Apple and Google to block the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their platforms over illegal data transfers and privacy concerns.
Australian scientists have developed synthetic chemicals to attract crown-of-thorns starfish for mass removal, offering a safer, targeted method to protect coral reefs.
President Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Iran’s newly appointed ambassador Mojtaba Demirchilou, highlighting the strengthening of Azerbaijan-Iran relations and discussing broad prospects for cooperation across multiple sectors.
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