Russia begins evacuation of over 500 people from Afghanistan, holds military exercise in Tajikistan......

 Russia begins evacuation of over 500 people from Afghanistan, holds military exercise in Tajikistan......

Russia on Wednesday initiated the evacuation of more than 500 people from Afghanistan. The exercise will involve Russians and citizens of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the evacuation will be carried out using four military transport aircraft. The operation is being carried out as per the orders of President Vladimir Putin, the statement went on to say.

Russian President Putin was quoted as saying earlier this week that he did not want "militants showing up here under cover of refugees". He made the statement in a conversation with leaders of the ruling United Russia party during a discussion on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.Vladimir Putin is believed to have criticised some countries for suggesting that refugees from Afghanistan can be relocated to neighbouring Central Asian countries while their visas to the US or Europe are processed.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a discussion on Afghanistan with the Russian President. The Russian Embassy in New Delhi said the two leaders reiterated their intention to enhance cooperation to counter the dissemination of "terrorist ideology" and drug threats originating from Afghanistan.

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Despite the closure of the American diplomatic mission in the country, the Russian Embassy in Kabul continues to operate. In fact, the Russian envoy to Afghanistan has held meetings with the Taliban to ensure the safety of the Russian mission.

The Russian government also plans to request the Taliban regime in Kabul to allow flights in September for Afghan students who wish to study in Russia.

While initiating evacuation of its citizens and negotiating with the Taliban, Russia is also holding a month-long military exercise in neighbouring Tajikistan. A number of T-72 tanks have been deployed to Tajikistan's mountain ranges and are practicing long-range firing at moving targets, the Russian Defence Ministry said.