An interesting development that may/may not have direct implications for the ongoing war. This is in the broadest realm of geopolitics wrt to the war but still may be important in the coming months and years.
Russia has softened their stance with the Taliban for a couple of years now and have been openly discussing removing them off their official terrorist organization list. In my mind there is only one real feasible reason for this. Russia wants Taliban help against what they perceive as an existential threat from the west. Open to debate of course. It is no secret that Russia has been increasingly reliant on their own foreign allies to help in their war against the Ukes. We all know about N.Korea, China, and other various countries feeding in supplies and troops. Africa and latin America coming to mind.
I don't believe that the final decision of unlisting the Taliban has been made yet but the international forums referenced in the article are ongoing as we speak and the Taliban are in attendance with Russia. Something to keep an eye on if yall follow this stuff. The Taliban doesn't have much in the way of material aid to lend but what they do have is motivated fighters and quite a few of them. If Russia can convince them that a partnership would be mutually beneficial, they can spin out a setting of Taliban fighters in Ukraine would be the same as fighting western interests. The Taliban do get excited about fighting westerners. If worst case happens and Russia becomes de facto allies with them, we might just see the everlasting global jihad come to Ukraine in time. Pure speculation of course right now and only one end result of a massive decision tree of choices, but don't think it is no longer outside the realm of possibility either. How f'ing disgusting would it be to see this occur though? Talk about selling your soul to the devil and something even I didn't contemplate with my bias against Russia politics. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen.
https://www.voanews.com/a/diplomat-russia-moving-closer-to-delisting-afghanistan-taliban-as-terrorist-group/7628566.html 
