Russian President Putin: 'Thousands' From Former Soviet Bloc Nations Have Joined The Islamic State

BBC: Putin: 'Thousands' from former Soviet bloc fighting with IS

Vladimir Putin has said that 5,000 to 7,000 people from Russia and other former Soviet states are fighting for so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria.

The Russian leader told a regional forum that the IS fighters would pose a serious risk if they returned home.

Mr Putin also warned on Friday that violence in Afghanistan could spread to Central Asia.

The situation in Afghanistan was "close to critical" and Central Asian states should be "ready to react", he said.

WNU Editor: His estimate is probably correct. But what Putin does not say are the numbers of those who quietly support or sympathize with the Islamic State. My guess is that this number is huge, and it is a problem that is probably going to persist in Russia and former Soviet Bloc nations for decades.