MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow launched a counterterrorist air campaign in Syria on September 30, 2015, at President Bashar Assad's request, Patrushev noted in an interview.
"That being said, it is clear that our actions in this area will be insufficient. The struggle against this scourge of the present day requires the collective efforts of the international community. We have stated this many times and are ready to continue cooperation with all stakeholders," he stressed.
Terrorist Strongholds in Northern Afghanistan Pose Immediate Threat to Russia
Terrorist positions located in northern Afghanistan present an imminent threat to Russia and Central Asian states, Patrushev told Sputnik.
"Strengthening of terrorists’ positions and growth of illegal drug trafficking, which is one of their main funding sources, are detected in Afghanistan," Patrushev said.
Russia is attempting to take proactive measures in the light of the terrorist threats in Afghanistan, he added.
"We track the destructive processes and try to be proactive," Patrushev said.
"Russia works both in bilateral and multilateral formats. Special attention is devoted to increasing cooperation in the regional organizations. The necessary military measures are adopted within the CSTO," Patrushev added.
Russian Security Council Develops New Formats of Cooperation Within CIS, BRICS, CSTO, SCO
"The coordinated work on identifying challenges and threats to the national security is underway. The dialogue within the framework of the CIS, CSTO, SCO and BRICS is being developed. We are bringing the vision of the current situation to our partners, we are increasing the exchange of information between the special services, developing new formats and areas of work," Patrushev said.
Countries across the globe have been boosting their security measures following a series of recent terrorist attacks such as those in Paris, Nice and Brussels and a continuing violence with the use of suicide bombers in the crisis-torn countries, such as Afghanistan or the Middle Eastern states.
