When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, it was part of their grand plan to extend the “Caliphate” north of Afghanistan, into the former Soviet states that are majority Muslim (where they had some support), and then into Russia itself. That is why Russia gave the US support and intelligence when we first sent troops into Afghanistan in 2001; and why Russia is not averse to seeing the Taliban weakened now. It’s in their own interest.
The Northern Alliance in Afghanistan was supported by Russia, years before 9/11.