![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/4951850.jpg?r=1694282454288\")
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A former Afghan colonel has revealed he rejected an offer by a Russian intelligence agency of cash, a new passport and relocation to Russia \u201cor anywhere in Europe\u201d.<\/p>\n
He had been hoping instead for a UK visa. With that dream now shattered, and his family barely able to afford to put food on the table, he says that he regrets his decision.<\/p>\n
Col Ahmad Ahmadi rose quickly through the ranks of Afghanistan\u2019s army, becoming a Lieutenant Colonel in just four years.<\/p>\n
As a legal adviser to the Kabul Air Brigade and a member of the Afghanistan Airstrike Targeting Board, he worked alongside senior RAF and US Air Force officers at the Joint Operational Intelligence Centre in Kabul to select targets and co-ordinate major strike packages against Taliban insurgents.<\/p>\n
But the collapse of the government in August 2021 left senior officers, who had not succumbed to corruption, destitute and on the run from Taliban killers. Fearing for his life and forced to provide for his family, Ahmad fled to Iran to work.<\/p>\n
And it was in Tehran, two years later, that he was approached by an Afghan businessman working for Russian intelligence.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first contact was through Facebook,\u201d said Ahmad, from his home in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Putin preparing to use ‘nuclear blackmail’ in terrifying warning to the West<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe man introduced himself as an Afghan businessman normally resident in Russia, and said he had an opportunity for me.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought he was a human trafficker who could get me to the West so I agreed to talk on WhatsApp.\u201d It soon became clear that the man, purporting to work for a company called GSK Management Company, was not what he seemed.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough our chat was general at first, he revealed that he knew a lot about my military background. \u201cI suspect he was told this by another Afghan officer.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cbusinessman\u2019s\u201d intentions soon became clear. \u201cHe showed me a link to an article about EUCOM, the US European Command, which was co-ordinating aid to Ukraine through multinational logistics cells, and began to ask me about my experiences in co-ordinating and planning strikes with the Nato-style air strikes planning system.<\/p>\n I began to understand. When you have the right co-ordination between different logistical, combat and support resources you can fight faster and respond to threats faster.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was six months after the invasion of Ukraine, and Russia had already removed two generals. It could not establish the necessary co-ordination in the logistics, \u00adcombat and support forces.<\/p>\n \u201cUkraine suffered less from this challenge because its forces had the support and advice of Nato.\u201d In November last year, the middle\u00adman finally showed his hand.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n \u201cI was offered a few thousand dollars in travel expenses and invited to go to Russia, where I would meet senior individuals. I was told they would offer me and my family new passports and a relocation package in Russia.<\/p>\n If I didn\u2019t want to live in Russia I would eventually be given a new home anywhere in Europe.\u201d Ahmad was told to show a letter of introduction \u2013 seen by the Sunday Express \u2013 to the Russian embassy in Tehran, which would grant him visas for St Petersburg.<\/p>\n It was a tempting offer because as he had refused to resume his duties as legal adviser to the Afghan Air Force under Taliban control, Ahmad\u2019s family had been evicted from the property they owned.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was our only capital in the world. Now my family has to pay rent to live in another house.\u201d One of his brothers was tortured and eventually fled with Ahmad to Iran.<\/p>\n Ahmad said: \u201cIn the past two years I \u00adborrowed more than $20,000 (\u00a316,000) to cover my family expenses, with double interest. In such a situation, it was very difficult to convince my family \u2013 and even myself \u2013 that \u00adsaying no to the Russian proposal was right, normal and moral.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I am no lover of dictators and certainly not of Vladimir Putin. Also, I worried that collaborating could make me a human rights violator.<\/p>\n So I refused. I was bombarded with messages to reconsider, and they increased the financial offer, but I refused, hoping my loyalty would help me to get a visa in the UK. It did not.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite a glowing recommendation from an RAF Wing Com\u00ad\u00admander, Ahmad\u2019s hopes were dashed because he had not worked directly for UK forces. He met the same fate with a US application.<\/p>\n Now his future rests with finding underground work in Afghanistan, where he was forced to return after work in Iran and Pakistan dried up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I see the situation facing my family and the indifference of Western countries I have always considered friends, I think that maybe by not going to Russia I made a big mistake,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Justin Crump, CEO of the Sibylline strategic risk group, warned of the dangers of ditching those who have helped the cause.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIf we abandon allies, we also abandon the information they possess. While this colonel may have rejected it, it\u2019s little wonder if others actively take up such offers.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/4951856.jpg?r=1694282454346\")
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