In December 1979 Soviet troops entered Afghanistan in order to support a friendly regime, and intended to leave in a maximum of a year. But the good intentions of the 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.
On the one hand, the participants in the conflict were the armed forces of the government Democratic Republic 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 the contingent of Soviet troops in 1985 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.
In total, according to updated data, the losses of the Soviet Army in the Afghan war amounted to 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 Afghan and Soviet aviation, in comparison with the statistics of the first six years of the war, remained virtually unchanged.
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 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.
As is known, not a single government in the world has yet, even if we're talking about about a modern, well-technically equipped superpower, with the help military force and the technicians were unable to impose their will on weaker opponents. On their side were the struggle for liberation native land, high patriotic spirit, as well as features of the local landscape (swamps, jungles, mountains). Examples of such unique confrontations are the Greco-Persian Wars, US aggression in Vietnam and, finally, the Soviet Union's invasion of neighboring Afghanistan.
Causes of the Afghan War
Profitable geographical position Afghanistan - right in the heart of Eurasia - since early XIX century made this country the epicenter of intense struggle between Russian and British Empire for spheres of influence. This fight was with with varying success. Afghanistan gained independence in 1919. Until the Soviet invasion in December 1979 political situation Afghanistan was characterized by extreme instability. There was a fierce struggle between the Islamist Mujahideen and supporters of the republican form of government. The latter turned to Soviet leaders asking for input limited contingent troops. The Political Council of the CPSU Central Committee, at a closed meeting, in a narrow composition, decided to satisfy the request of the Afghan comrades. Presence of instability in neighboring state, V close proximity from Soviet border became the last reason military intervention.
The course and main battles of the Afghan war
During the assault presidential palace fighters Soviet special forces The leader of the country, Kh. Amin, was eliminated, and his place was taken by the Soviet protege B. Karmal. According to the initial directives of Marshal of Defense of the USSR D.F. Ustinov, the participation of Soviet troops in the liquidation of Islamists was not intended. However, a significant part of the population reacted with hostility to the arrival of Soviet troops. Jihad (ghazavat) was declared to the Gentiles, i.e. " Holy war" The supply of weapons to the Mujahideen (dushmans) came through illegal channels from neighboring Pakistan. The dushmans either avoided direct confrontations and struck on the sly, or set up ambushes in mountain gorges, or cleverly disguised themselves as peaceful dekhkans (peasants).
The first months of the war went well for the limited Soviet contingent, an example of this is military operation in Panjshir. The turning point in the war, not in favor of the Soviet troops, came after the Stinger missiles came into service with the Mujahideen. They turned out to be capable of hitting a target at a considerable distance and it was almost impossible to destroy such a missile in flight. The Afghans shot down several Soviet transport and military aircraft. The coming to power of M.S. Gorbachev in March 1985 radically changed the situation. Not only is the possibility of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan beginning to be considered, but the first real steps are being taken in this direction. B. Karmal is replaced by M. Najibullah. Soviet intelligence officers manages to capture several Stinger missiles. At the same time, Marshal S.F. Akhromeev was forced to admit that full control It was not possible to establish over the entire territory of Afghanistan during the six years of war. A phased withdrawal of troops began. It was completed in February 1989. Total losses Soviet troops during the entire period of the war amounted to about 15,000 people. There has been no political stability within Afghanistan. The fight between Islamists and Republicans continued and intensified with new strength. It is not finished to this day.
- It was the invasion of Soviet troops in Afghanistan that served as the reason for the boycott Olympic Games in Moscow in the summer of 1980 by the United States and its allies. In essence, the Moscow Olympics became a competition between the countries of the socialist camp and each other. It is not surprising that we were never able to win as many medals as then.
- Some famous performers repeatedly came directly to the front line to visit Soviet soldiers. Among them are I. Kobzon and A. Rosenbaum. I had to perform in extreme conditions, with the constant threat of rocket fire.
- One of the most famous songs A. Rosenbaum - “Black Tulip” - a tribute to the memory of soldiers who died while performing their international duty in Afghanistan.
The decision to send Soviet troops into Afghanistan was made on December 12, 1979 at a meeting of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee and formalized by a secret resolution of the CPSU Central Committee.
The official purpose of the entry was to prevent the threat of foreign military intervention. The Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee used repeated requests from the Afghan leadership as a formal basis.
IN this conflict The armed forces of the government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA) took part on the one hand and the armed opposition (Mujahideen, or dushmans) on the other. The struggle was for complete political control over the territory of Afghanistan. During the conflict, the Dushmans were supported by US military specialists, a number of European countries- NATO members, as well as Pakistani intelligence services.
On December 25, 1979, the entry of Soviet troops into the DRA began. The Soviet contingent included: the command of the 40th Army with support and service units, 4 divisions, separate brigades- 5, separate regiments - 4, combat aviation regiments - 4, helicopter regiments - 3, pipeline brigade - 1, brigade material support 1 and some other parts and institutions.
The presence of Soviet troops in Afghanistan and their combat activities are conventionally divided into four stages.
1st stage: December 1979 - February 1980 Entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan, placing them in garrisons, organizing the protection of deployment points and various facilities.
2nd stage: March 1980 - April 1985 Conducting active combat operations, including large-scale ones, together with Afghan formations and units. Work to reorganize and strengthen the armed forces of the DRA.
3rd stage: May 1985 - December 1986 Transition from active combat operations primarily to support operations Afghan troops Soviet aviation, artillery and sapper units. Special forces units fought to suppress the delivery of weapons and ammunition from abroad. The withdrawal of six Soviet regiments to their homeland took place.
4th stage: January 1987 - February 1989 Participation of Soviet troops in the Afghan leadership's policy of national reconciliation.
On April 14, 1988, with the mediation of the UN in Switzerland, the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan signed the Geneva Agreements on political settlement situation around the situation in the DRA. The Soviet Union pledged to withdraw its contingent within 9 months, starting on May 15; The United States and Pakistan, for their part, had to stop supporting the Mujahideen.
In accordance with the agreements, the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan began on May 15, 1988.
On February 15, 1989, Soviet troops completely withdrew from Afghanistan. The withdrawal of the troops of the 40th Army was led by the last commander of the limited contingent, Lieutenant General Boris Gromov.
Losses:
According to updated data, the total in the war Soviet army lost 14 thousand 427 people (of which about 2000 Ukrainians), the KGB - 576 people, the Ministry of Internal Affairs - 28 people dead and missing. More than 53 thousand people were wounded, shell-shocked, injured. The exact number of Afghans killed in the war is unknown. Available estimates range from 1 to 2 million people.
For comparison:
Over a roughly similar time period, the US Army lost 47,378 people during combat operations in Vietnam, 10,799 non-combat personnel, 153,303 wounded, 2,300 missing. Approximately 5 thousand US Air Force aircraft were shot down.
The total losses of American troops during their entire stay in Iraq and Afghanistan over the 8 years of confrontation have already amounted to 18,048 military personnel. At the same time, the statistics of American losses is growing every year.
Interesting fact:
Unlike the Soviet contingent, the Americans do not control the entire territory of Afghanistan (including particularly important transport routes and strategic facilities). In addition, after the occupation of Afghanistan by NATO forces, drug production increased significantly. Some researchers argue that Americans are deliberately turning a blind eye to the rapid growth of heroin production, which may be caused by fears that if an active fight against the drug business is launched, the losses of American troops will increase sharply. Until 2001, Afghan drug trafficking was repeatedly the subject of discussion in the UN Security Council, but after the discussion they stopped holding it. Afghan-made heroin kills twice as many in Russia and Ukraine every year more people what died Soviet soldiers throughout the ten-year war in Afghanistan.
7 main facts about the Afghan war
On this day 35 years ago (December 25, 1979), Soviet troops entered Afghanistan. For 10 years, the USSR will be drawn into a conflict that will finally undermine its former power. “Echo of Afghanistan” can still be heard.
There was no Afghan war. There was a deployment of a limited contingent of Soviet troops to 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. 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.”
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, there has been a struggle between the Russian and British empires for control of 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.
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 Soviet Union is waging a “war of conquest” on territory that is foreign to itself. The 1980 Olympics were boycotted by many countries (including the USA). The Western propaganda machine was working at full capacity, creating the image of an aggressor from the USSR.
The Afghan conflict was Afghan in name only. In essence, a cunning 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.”
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
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.”
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 tickets” 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.