The Director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Alexander Bortnikov, revealed that the Vilayat Khorasan branch of the Islamic State, which opposes the Afghan authorities, is actively recruiting individuals from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, namely Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Bortnikov stated that this recruitment targets both militants from other terrorist organizations and migrant workers in Russia. He warned of the establishment of conspiracy networks within CIS nations, which are planning terrorist attacks. Earlier this year, the FSB, in collaboration with Tajik authorities, neutralized a terrorist cell that was plotting significant attacks. Furthermore, five planned terrorist incidents were thwarted in Russia through cooperation with Uzbekistan's security services. Bortnikov also noted that the activities of Vilayat Khorasan and other jihadist groups are supported by Western intelligence, aiming to destabilize the Afghan government and expand their influence in Central Asia. He emphasized the necessity of counterterrorism cooperation with Afghanistan to ensure regional stability and security.