The Russians want a second shot at Afghanistan. If they work with the rebels, they'll succeed.
“In Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain, it takes a trainload of explosives to destroy three militants,” he said at a news conference. “The chance of hitting bin Laden is zero.”
Russia is well known for their love of artillery. Russian artillery/planes backing Afghan rebels... that would be wonderful.
Perhaps they are going back on their original offer because it would reduce the moral of Russian troops. Can you imagine how it would look if Americans get Bin Laden quickly when the Russians couldn't get his in years?