In December 1979, Soviet troops entered Afghanistan in order to support a friendly regime, and intended to leave within a year at most. But good intentions Soviet Union turned into a long war.
Today, some are trying to present this war as an atrocity or the result of a conspiracy. Let's look at those events as a tragedy and try to dispel the myths that appear today.
Fact: the introduction of OKSAV is a forced measure to protect geopolitical interests
On December 12, 1979, at a meeting of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee, a decision was made and formalized in a secret resolution to send troops to Afghanistan. These measures were not resorted to at all in order to seize the territory of Afghanistan. The Soviet Union's interest was primarily in protecting its own borders, and secondly in countering US attempts to gain a foothold in the region. The formal basis for the deployment of troops was repeated requests from the Afghan leadership.
The participants in the conflict, on the one hand, were the armed forces of the government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, and on the other, the armed opposition (Mujahideen, or dushmans). The dushmans received support from NATO members and Pakistani intelligence services. The struggle was for complete political control over Afghan territory.
According to statistics, Soviet troops were in Afghanistan for 9 years and 64 days. Maximum strength contingent Soviet troops in 1985 it reached 108.8 thousand, after which it steadily decreased. The withdrawal of troops began 8 years and 5 months after the start of presence in the country, and by August 1988 the number of Soviet troops in Afghanistan was only 40 thousand. To date, the United States of America and its allies have been in this country for more than 11 years.
Myth: Western aid to the mujahideen began only after the Soviet invasion
Western propaganda portrayed the entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan as an aggression to seize new territories. However, the West began to support mujahideen leaders even before 1979. Robert Gates, who was then a CIA officer and served as Secretary of Defense under President Obama, describes the events of March 1979 in his memoirs. Then, according to him, the CIA discussed the question of whether it was worth supporting the Mujahideen further in order to “drag the USSR into the swamp,” and a decision was made to supply the Mujahideen with money and weapons.
Total, according to updated data, losses Soviet army in the Afghan war there were 14.427 thousand people killed and missing. More than 53 thousand people were shell-shocked, wounded or injured. For the courage and heroism shown in Afghanistan, more than 200 thousand military personnel were awarded orders and medals (11 thousand were awarded posthumously), 86 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (28 posthumously).
In approximately the same period of time, american army Vietnam lost 47,378 people in combat and another 10,779 died. More than 152 thousand were wounded, 2.3 thousand were missing.
Myth: The USSR withdrew troops from Afghanistan because the CIA provided the Mujahideen with Stinger missiles
Pro-Western media claimed that Charlie Wilson turned the tide of the war by convincing Ronald Reagan of the need to supply the Mujahideen with man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems designed to combat helicopters. This myth was voiced in the book “Charlie Wilson's War” by George Crile and in the film of the same name, where Tom Hanks played the role of the loud-mouthed congressman.
In fact, the Stringers only forced the Soviet troops to change tactics. The Mujahideen did not have night vision devices, and helicopters operated at night. The pilots carried out strikes from a higher altitude, which, of course, reduced their accuracy, but the level of losses of the Afghan and Soviet aviation, in comparison with the statistics of the first six years of the war, practically did not change.
The decision to withdraw Soviet troops from Afghanistan was made by the USSR government in October 1985 - even as the Mujahideen began to receive Stringers in significant quantities, which only happened in the fall of 1986. An analysis of declassified minutes of Politburo meetings shows that any innovations in weapons Afghan Mujahideen, including the “Stringers” as a reason for the withdrawal of troops, was never mentioned.
Fact: During the American presence in Afghanistan, drug production has increased significantly
Unlike the once-introduced Soviet contingent, the American military does not control the entire territory of Afghanistan. It is also undeniable that after Afghanistan was occupied by NATO troops, drug production in this country increased significantly. There is an opinion that Americans rapid growth they turn a blind eye to heroin production quite consciously, understanding that an active fight against drug trafficking will sharply increase losses American troops.
If before 2001, drug trafficking in Afghanistan was repeatedly the subject of discussion in the UN Security Council, then later this issue was no longer brought up for discussion. It is also a fact that heroin produced in Afghanistan kills twice as many people every year in Russia and Ukraine than during the 10 years of war in Afghanistan.
After the withdrawal of the USSR military contingent from the territory of Afghanistan, the United States continued to maintain close ties with the Mujahideen. Washington blocked all proposals from President Mohammed Najibullah for negotiations and concessions. The Americans continued to arm jihadists and guerrillas, hoping that they would overthrow Najibullah's pro-Moscow regime.
This time became the most destructive period for Afghanistan in the country’s recent history: Pakistan and the West deprived the country of unique opportunity finish civil war. Charles Cogan, who served as the CIA's director of operations in South Asia and the Middle East from 1979 to 1984, later admitted: “I doubt whether our inertia should have helped the mujahideen after the Soviets left. Looking back, I think it was a mistake."
Fact: Americans were forced to buy back weapons given to them from Afghans
When Soviet troops entered Afghanistan, the United States, according to various estimates, donated to the Mujahideen from 500 to 2 thousand Stinger man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems. After the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the country American government began to buy back donated missiles for $183 thousand apiece, while the cost of the Stinger was $38 thousand.
Myth: The mujahideen overthrew the Kabul regime and won a major victory over Moscow
The main factor that undermined Najibullah's position was Moscow's statement in September 1991, made shortly after the collapse of the coup against Gorbachev. Yeltsin, who came to power, decided to reduce the country's international obligations. Russia announced that it was stopping the supply of weapons to Kabul, as well as the supply of food and any other aid.
This decision was disastrous for morale supporters of Najibullah, whose regime lasted only 2 years after Soviet troops left Afghanistan. Many military leaders and political allies of Najibullah went over to the side of the Mujahideen. As a result, Najibullah's army was not defeated. She just melted. It turned out that Moscow overthrew the government, for which it was paid with the lives of Soviet people.
Fact: The USSR made a fatal mistake - it failed to leave Afghanistan on time
“Afghan unfinished construction” had a very negative impact on the USSR. There is an opinion that it was precisely the unsuccessful Soviet military intervention became one of the main reasons for the disappearance of the Soviet Union from political map peace. If the introduction of troops in 1979 strengthened “anti-Russian sentiments” both in the West, and in the countries of the socialist camp, and in the Islamic world, then the forced withdrawal of troops and the change political allies and partners in Kabul have become one of the most fatal errors, calling into question everything positive that the USSR did not only during the ten-year stay of OKSVA, but also for many years before that.
Myth: The US is rebuilding Afghanistan's economy today
According to statistics, the United States has invested $96.6 billion in the Afghan economy over 12 years. However, no one can say how much was used for its intended purpose. It is known that American businessmen, who are engaged in the restoration of the Afghan economy, which was resolved by the war, have come up with a multi-stage corruption scheme for appropriating funds from the US budget through Afghanistan. According to the Stringer Bureau of International Investigation, multibillion-dollar sums are disappearing in an unknown direction.
During the Soviet presence in Afghanistan, the USSR built two gas pipelines, several gas stations and thermal power plants, power lines, 2 airports, more than a dozen oil depots, industrial enterprises, bakeries, Mother and Child Center, clinics, Polytechnical Institute, vocational schools, schools - more than 200 in total various objects industry and social infrastructure.
When Soviet troops entered Afghanistan in December 1979 to support the friendly communist regime, no one could have imagined that the war would stretch out for ten long years and ultimately “drive” the last nail “in the coffin” of the USSR. Today, some are trying to present this war as the villainy of the “Kremlin elders” or the result of a worldwide conspiracy. However, we will try to rely only on the facts.
According to modern data, the losses of the Soviet Army in the Afghan war amounted to 14,427 people killed and missing. In addition, 180 advisers and 584 specialists from other departments were killed. More than 53 thousand people were shell-shocked, wounded or injured.
Cargo "200"
The exact number of Afghans killed in the war is unknown. The most common figure is 1 million dead; Available estimates range from 670 thousand civilians to 2 million in total. According to Harvard professor M. Kramer, an American researcher of the Afghan war: “During the nine years of war, more than 2.7 million Afghans (mostly civilians), several million more became refugees, many of whom fled the country.” A clear division of victims into soldiers of the government army, Mujahideen and civilians, apparently, does not exist.
For the courage and heroism shown during the war in Afghanistan, more than 200 thousand military personnel were awarded orders and medals (11 thousand were awarded posthumously), 86 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (28 posthumously). Among the awarded – 110 thousand soldiers and sergeants, about 20 thousand warrant officers, more than 65 thousand officers and generals, more than 2.5 thousand SA employees, including – 1350 women.
A group of Soviet military personnel awarded government awards
During the entire period of hostilities, 417 military personnel were in Afghan captivity, 130 of whom were released during the war and were able to return to their homeland. As of January 1, 1999, 287 people remained among those who had not returned from captivity and had not been found.
Captured Soviet soldier
During nine years of war P The losses of equipment and weapons amounted to: airplaneecomrade - 118 (in the Air Force– 107); helicopters - 333 (in the Air Force – 324); tanks - 147; BMP, armored personnel carrier, BMD, BRDM – 1314; guns and mortars - 433; radio stations and KShM – 1138; engineering vehicles – 510; flatbed vehicles and tank trucks – 11,369.
Burnt Soviet tank
The government in Kabul was dependent on the USSR throughout the war, which provided it with military assistance in the amount of about $40 billion. Meanwhile, the rebels established contacts with Pakistan and the United States, and also received widespread support from Saudi Arabia, China and a number of other states, which together provided the Mujahideen with weapons and other military equipment worth about $10 billion.
Afghan Mujahideen
On January 7, 1988, in Afghanistan, at an altitude of 3234 m above the road to the city of Khost in the Afghan-Pakistan border zone, a fierce battle took place. This was one of the most famous military clashes between units of the Limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan and the armed formations of the Afghan Mujahideen. Based on these events, the film “The Ninth Company” was shot in the Russian Federation in 2005. The height of 3234 m was defended by the 9th parachute company of the 345th Guards separate parachute regiment total number 39 people supported by regimental artillery. Soviet fighters were attacked by units of Mujahideen numbering from 200 to 400 people who were trained in Pakistan. The battle lasted 12 hours. The Mujahideen never managed to capture the heights. After suffering heavy losses, they retreated. In the ninth company, six paratroopers were killed, 28 were injured, nine of them – heavy. All paratroopers for this battle were awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the Red Star. Lance Sergeant V. A. Alexandrov and Private A. A. Melnikov were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Still from the film “9th Company”
The most famous battle of Soviet border guards during the war in Afghanistan took place on November 22, 1985 near the village of Afrij in the Zardevsky Gorge mountain range Darayi-Kalat in northeastern Afghanistan. Battle group The border guards of the Panfilov outpost of a motorized maneuver group (21 people) were ambushed as a result of an incorrect crossing of the river. During the battle, 19 border guards were killed. These were the most numerous losses of border guards in the Afghan war. According to some reports, the number of Mujahideen participating in the ambush was 150 people.
Border guards after the battle
There is a well-established post Soviet period the opinion that the USSR was defeated and expelled from Afghanistan. It is not true. When Soviet troops left Afghanistan in 1989, they did so as a result of a well-planned operation. Moreover, the operation was carried out in several directions at once: diplomatic, economic and military. This not only saved lives Soviet soldiers, but also to preserve the Afghan government. Communist Afghanistan held out even after the fall of the USSR in 1991 and only then, with the loss of support from the USSR and increasing attempts from the Mujahideen and Pakistan, did the DRA begin to slide towards defeat in 1992.
Withdrawal of Soviet troops, February 1989
In November 1989 The Supreme Council The USSR declared an amnesty for all crimes committed by Soviet military personnel in Afghanistan. According to military prosecutor's office, from December 1979 to February 1989, 4,307 people were brought to criminal responsibility as part of the 40th Army in the DRA; at the time the decision of the USSR Armed Forces on amnesty came into force, more than 420 former internationalist soldiers were in prison.
We have returned…
In 1979, Soviet troops entered Afghanistan. For 10 years, the USSR was drawn into a conflict that finally undermined its former power. “Echo of Afghanistan” can still be heard.
1. Contingent
There was no Afghan war. There was an input limited contingent Soviet troops in Afghanistan. It is fundamentally important that Soviet troops entered Afghanistan at the invitation. There were about two dozen invitations. The decision to send troops was not easy, but it was nevertheless made by members of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee on December 12, 1979. In fact, the USSR was drawn into this conflict. A short search for “who benefits from this” clearly points, first of all, to the United States. Today they are not even trying to hide the Anglo-Saxon trace of the Afghan conflict. According to memoirs former director CIA Robert Gates, July 3, 1979 American President Jimmy Carter signed a secret presidential order authorizing funding for anti-government forces in Afghanistan, and Zbigniew Brzezinski bluntly said: “We did not push the Russians to interfere, but we deliberately increased the likelihood that they would do so.”
2. Afghan axis
Afghanistan is geopolitically axial point. It is not in vain that wars have been waged over Afghanistan throughout its history. Both open and diplomatic. Since the 19th century between Russian and British Empire There is a struggle for control over Afghanistan, called " Big game" The Afghan conflict of 1979-1989 is part of this “game”. Mutinies and uprisings in the “underbelly” of the USSR could not go unnoticed. It was impossible to lose the Afghan axis. In addition, Leonid Brezhnev really wanted to act as a peacemaker. He spoke.
3. Oh sport, you are the world
The Afghan conflict “quite by accident” caused a serious wave of protest in the world, which was fueled in every possible way by “friendly” media. Voice of America radio broadcasts began daily with military reports. By all means, people were not allowed to forget that the Soviet Union was waging a “war of conquest” on territory that was foreign to itself. The 1980 Olympics were boycotted by many countries (including the USA). The Anglo-Saxon propaganda machine worked at full capacity, creating the image of an aggressor from the USSR. The Afghan conflict greatly helped with the change of poles: by the end of the 70s, the popularity of the USSR in the world was enormous. The US boycott did not go unanswered. Our athletes did not go to the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
4. The whole world
The Afghan conflict was Afghan in name only. In essence, the favorite Anglo-Saxon combination was carried out: the enemies were forced to fight each other. The US has authorized economic assistance» the Afghan opposition in the amount of $15 million, as well as the military - supplying them with heavy weapons and training military training groups of Afghan Mujahideen. The United States did not even hide its interest in the conflict. In 1988, the third part of the Rambo epic was filmed. Sylvester Stallone's hero this time fought in Afghanistan. The absurdly tailored, openly propaganda film even received the Golden Raspberry Award and was included in the Guinness Book of Records as a film with maximum number violence: the film contains 221 scenes of violence and a total of more than 108 people die. At the end of the film there are credits “The film is dedicated to the valiant people of Afghanistan.”
5. Oil
The role of the Afghan conflict is difficult to overestimate. Every year the USSR spent about 2-3 billion US dollars on it. The Soviet Union could afford this at the peak of oil prices, which was observed in 1979-1980. However, between November 1980 and June 1986, oil prices fell almost 6 times! Of course, it was not by chance that they fell. A special “thank you” to Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol campaign. There was no longer a “financial cushion” in the form of income from the sale of vodka on the domestic market. The USSR, by inertia, continued to spend money on creating a positive image, but funds were running out within the country. The USSR found itself in economic collapse.
6. Dissonance
During the Afghan conflict, the country was in some kind of cognitive dissonance. On the one hand, everyone knew about “Afghanistan,” on the other, the USSR painfully tried to “live better and more fun.” Olympics-80, XII World Festival of Youth and Students - The Soviet Union celebrated and rejoiced. Meanwhile, KGB General Philip Bobkov subsequently testified: “Long before the opening of the festival, Afghan militants were specially selected in Pakistan, who underwent serious training under the guidance of CIA specialists and were brought into the country a year before the festival. They settled in the city, especially since they were provided with money, and began to expect to receive explosives, plastic bombs and weapons, preparing to carry out explosions in crowded places (Luzhniki, Manezhnaya Square and other places). The protests were disrupted thanks to the operational measures taken.”
7. Afghan syndrome
As the hero of the movie "Rambo" said: "The war is not over." We all know about the “Afghan syndrome”, about thousands of broken destinies, about veterans who returned from the war, useless and forgotten. The Afghan conflict gave rise to a whole layer of culture of the “forgotten and devoted soldier.” This image was atypical for the Russian tradition. The Afghan conflict undermined the morale of the Russian army. It was then that “white ticket” people began to appear, the war inspired horror, people talked about it scary legends, soldiers who had cheated were sent there, hazing flourished there and became a scourge modern army. It was at that time that the military profession ceased to be attractive, although previously every second person dreamed of being an officer. "Echo of Afghanistan" can still be heard.
Afghanistan is a country of amazingly beautiful mountains, hot summers and sometimes cruel customs. Already long years There is an ongoing conflict here, a fair part of the country is controlled by militants of various gangs and terrorist organizations, but against the backdrop of all this, ordinary people are somehow trying to continue living an ordinary life.
- Literally translated from Persian, “Afghanistan” means “Silent Country.” At the same time, from tongues Turkic group the word "Afghan" is translated as "hidden". Both of these interpretations are perfect for describing Afghanistan - a mountainous, inaccessible country where all the tribes who wanted to maintain independence hid.
- The largest copper deposit in Eurasia has been discovered near Kabul, the Afghan capital. The largest iron ore deposit in South Asia is located in the same area.
- Afghanistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world along with Somalia ().
- People inhabited modern Afghan lands at least 5 thousand years ago. The rural communities that arose in this area were the first on the planet.
- Scientists believe that one of the ancient religions, Zoroastrianism, originated in Afghanistan several thousand years BC, and Zarathustra himself allegedly lived and died in local city Balkh.
- Afghanistan became the first state to recognize the RSFSR after the revolution.
- This country is the largest producer of opiates on the planet. According to UN statistics, about 90% of drugs entering Europe are smuggled across the Afghan border.
- Afghanistan ranks fourth in the world in terms of the number of children born to local women - on average, each woman in this country gives birth 6-7 times.
- In Afghanistan, 47% of men and only 15% of women are literate. Despite this, Afghans are very fond of poetry, and every home has at least one volume of poetry. Closed poetry competitions are held even among illiterate workers and peasants.
- This state ranks sadly first among countries in the world in terms of infant mortality rate - 226 babies under the age of 5 die out of 1000 births.
- The national sport in Afghanistan is called buzkashi. Two teams of riders enter the field, where they have to capture and hold the skin of a goat. Afghan youth love to entertain themselves by kite fighting.
- Afghan Hounds are graceful hunting dogs that, as their breed name suggests, originate from Afghanistan. Scientists have found that these are one of the most difficult dogs to train, but at the same time, Afghans are friendly, playful and love communication with people.
- The national dance of the Afghans is attan, which is usually performed by men. This is a circular dance in which from two to several hundred people participate. The circling to the accompaniment of booming drums and flutes lasts on average from 5 to 30 minutes, but can last up to 5 hours.
- Afghan athletes have taken part in 13 Summer Olympics, and during this time they have won two bronze medals in taekwondo competitions. The same wrestler became victorious both times.
- Afghanistan, where 99% of the population is Muslim, has only one pig, and it is kept in the Kabul Zoo.
- While serving in Afghanistan, two Scottish soldiers jokingly promised each other that if one of them died, the other would come to his funeral dressed as a woman. And so it happened, and the tearful soldier sat at the grave of his friend in a bright yellow dress and pink spats.
The official beginning of the Afghan war can be considered adopted by the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee December 12, 1979. in response to repeated requests from the Afghan government, the decision to send a contingent of Soviet troops into the country. However, direct action began on December 25 with the introduction of a contingent of Soviet troops into Afghanistan and on December 27, the seizure of Kh. Amin’s residence by the Guards airborne division and replacing him with the more accommodating B. Karmal.
We can distinguish 4 stages in the conduct of hostilities over 9 years and 49 days of war:
- On the first, troops were brought in, positions were occupied and fortified on them (3 months)
- The next stage was the conduct of active combat operations (5 years)
- Subsequently, Soviet units switched to supporting the actions of allied Afghan groups (1.5g)
- The last stage, consisting of curtailing activity and withdrawing the Soviet contingent from the territory of the country (2d)
The Soviet Union did not want to change the regime in Afghanistan, but intervened in the conflict to protect geopolitical interests.
The motives of the Soviet leadership in making the decision proceeded largely from a mixture of ideological and political expediency of supporting a friendly regime and supporting its course towards reforms in the country. However, this was actively opposed by the supported Western countries led by a US group of Islamic orthodox conservatives.
There was a limited contingent of Soviet troops present in Afghanistan. Both in the decision to send troops and in practice, the principle of a “limited contingent of troops” was implemented. Moreover, contrary to the opinion about the fate of the predominant number of conscript soldiers, based on a lack of information, the contingent units consisted of 60-70% of 25-35 year-old warrant officers and reserve officers.
Soviet troops intervened in the year-long civil war. The aggravation of the situation in the country began after the proclamation in April 1978 Democratic Republic Afghanistan (DRA) with a course towards socialist construction and radical Islamist groups (Dushmans, Mujahideen) supported the poorest strata republics. 
The Soviet Union's losses in the Afghan war were much lower than those of the United States during the Vietnam War. In terms of the ratio of losses in killed during the same period of war, the USSR and the USA differed in killed and wounded by 4 and 3 times big side respectively.
The material costs of the USSR and the USA for the war differed significantly. In terms of US dollars, the war in Afghanistan cost the USSR almost 3 billion per year and about a billion to support the Afghan regime. In rough terms, over 10 years the costs are 40 billion, despite the fact that the USA is Vietnam War spent for the same period $165 billion.
Soviet contingent controlled a significant part of the country. The Soviet contingent established control over for the most part territory of the country, the dushmans avoided direct clashes, limiting themselves to forays varying degrees efficiency. Unlike the later American-Afghan war, during the Soviet period of the war there was no recorded increase in the area under opium poppy cultivation. Another difference is that the USSR built infrastructure for the population in Afghanistan, while the US carpet bombed populated areas. 
During the war in Afghanistan, oil prices dropped significantly. If the USSR started the war at the peak of oil prices at the end of the 70s, then during the first 6 years of the war, due to the collusion of the Gulf countries with the United States, prices for “black gold” fell 6 times, which certainly affected the military-economic capabilities of the Soviet Union.
In this war, poor personnel records were kept, and signs of drunkenness, debauchery and drug addiction appeared. Control over personnel contingent was unsystematic and fragmented, which allowed an employee on vacation, for example, to stay on the territory of the USSR not for 45 days, but 90. In initial period during the war, alcohol was abused by everyone officers, from which, according to some data, up to 70% were chronic alcoholics . The majority of the female brigade agreed to cohabit with the officers at a price of 50-100 Vneshtorg marks at a time.
Soldiers with access to medical painkillers used them intravenously to suppress feelings of fear, and some, having established contact with dushmans, used hashish and heroin.
After the end of the war, the United States bought back the Stingers they donated to the Mujahideen at an inflated price. Contrary to conventional wisdom about the significant influence of the Stingers on the course of the war, Soviet command An antidote to them was quickly found. It consisted in the fact that air cover operations were transferred to night time, given the lack of night vision devices among the dushmans. It was recommended to conduct air operations at altitudes exceeding the flight range of the Stingers. According to experts, the Mujahideen were given from 500 to 2000 Stingers, which were bought from them after the war at a price of 183 thousand per unit, with the cost of MANPADS being 38 thousand. 
The entry of a limited contingent of Soviet troops became the reason for the boycott of the 1980 Olympics. The result of the USSR's intervention in the Afghan civil war was a boycott of the Moscow Olympics by the countries of the capitalist bloc. As a result, the socialist countries competed for primacy among themselves, following its results Soviet athletes got greatest number medals in various types sports