The United States Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, who is also NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, on Thursday said at a U.S. senate hearing that he had seen Russian influence on Afghan Taliban insurgents growing.

He said Russia may be supplying Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

“I've seen the influence of Russia of late - increased influence in terms of association and perhaps even supply to the Taliban,” Scaparotti said.

This comes after heavy fighting ongoing between security forces and the Taliban in parts of Helmand province in the country’s south. 

On Thursday, the Afghan forces reportedly were evacuated from the center of Sangin district in Helmand and were moved to a military base about 3km away following heavy clashes with Taliban insurgents.

Sangin has witnessed numerous heavy clashes over the past few months and insurgents have carried out ongoing attacks against military bases and police headquarters.