RASC News Agency: A group of Afghanistani students who had been awarded Russian scholarships have revealed to media outlets that their academic opportunities were revoked due to the obstruction of the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Higher Education. Many of these students, having traveled to Kabul to complete essential formalities including HIV testing and document submissions incurred significant financial costs, only to see their efforts thwarted. According to the students, during a meeting on Thursday with 15 student representatives, the head of the Russian Center for Science and Culture at the Russian Embassy in Kabul confirmed that the scholarships had been canceled due to the Taliban’s refusal to grant approval.
One disheartened student lamented, “All our dreams and hopes have turned into a nightmare. After tireless efforts, all we have been left with is an uncertain future and profound disappointment.” The students have appealed to the international community to intervene and help restore these vital academic opportunities. The students claim that the Taliban are concerned about the potential impact of studying in Russia on the students’ religious beliefs. Last year, the Taliban confiscated the passports of 500 male students to prevent them from traveling to Russia. While some students managed to bypass these restrictions by traveling through Iran, this alternative route has reportedly been blocked this year by the Russian Center for Science and Culture.
Neither the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education nor the Russian Embassy in Kabul has issued an official statement regarding the situation. This development comes as the Taliban continue to ban girls from attending schools and universities, and now, with this latest decision, have extended their oppressive policies to male students by denying them access to higher education opportunities through Russian scholarships. Russia, despite being one of the Taliban’s key international supporters, has come under scrutiny from analysts who characterize its relationship with the Taliban as “one-sided.” Experts argue that the Taliban are strategically aligned with American interests, implying that their actions are influenced and managed by external forces from the U.S. front.
