A Grim Toll: Exploring Russia's Human Loss In The Afghanistan War

The Soviet–Afghan War, which lasted from 1979 to 1989, resulted in the deaths of approximately 15,000 Soviet soldiers. The war was fought between the Soviet-backed communist government of Afghanistan and the mujahideen, who were supported by various foreign powers, most notably Pakistan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. The Soviets' massive military campaigns against the mujahideen caused extensive destruction and loss of life, leading to a nationwide resistance movement. The rugged mountainous terrain of Afghanistan also posed significant challenges for the Soviet forces, who lacked the necessary tactics for effective guerrilla warfare. The war had a significant impact on both Afghanistan and the Soviet Union, with the latter facing widespread criticism from the international community and eventually withdrawing its troops in 1989.

The Soviet–Afghan War lasted from 1979 to 1989

The Soviet-Afghan War lasted from 1979 to 1989. The war was fought between the Soviet Union and the Afghan Mujahideen, who were supported by various countries including Pakistan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, China, Iran, and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf.

The war began in December 1979 when the Soviets brought their 40th Army to Afghanistan. The Soviets' entry into the country caused an immediate increase in foreign involvement, with Islamists from around the world joining the Mujahideen. The Soviets' military campaigns against the Mujahideen, who blended in with the local population, caused extensive destruction of local infrastructure and loss of lives, which made the local population side with the Mujahideen. This caused a loss of support for the Soviet military presence and eventually created a nationwide resistance during the conflict.

The Soviets initially left the suppression of the rebellion to the Afghan army, but the latter was beset by mass desertions and remained largely ineffective throughout the war. The Mujahideen were fragmented politically into a handful of independent groups, and their military efforts remained uncoordinated throughout the war. The quality of their arms and combat organization gradually improved, however, owing to experience and to the large quantity of arms and other war matériel shipped to the rebels, via Pakistan, by the United States and other countries and by sympathetic Muslims from throughout the world.

The war in Afghanistan became a quagmire for the Soviet Union. The Soviets suffered some 15,000 dead and many more injured. In 1988, the United States, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union signed an agreement by which the latter would withdraw its troops (completed in 1989), and Afghanistan returned to non-aligned status. In April 1992, various rebel groups, together with newly rebellious government troops, stormed the besieged capital of Kabul and overthrew the communist president, Najibullah, who had succeeded Karmal in 1986.

Around 15,000 Soviet soldiers died in the war

The Soviet–Afghan War was a protracted armed conflict fought in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989. The Soviets' massive military campaigns against the mujahideen, who blended in with the local population, caused extensive destruction of local infrastructure and loss of lives, which made the local population side with the mujahideen. The mujahideen were supported by many countries such as Pakistan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia.

The Soviets' entry into the country on 25 December 1979, immediately increased the presence of foreign involvement, and Islamists from around the world joined the mujahideen. The Soviets' massive military campaigns against the mujahideen caused extensive destruction of local infrastructure and loss of lives, which made the local population side with the mujahideen. That caused a loss of support for the Soviet military presence and eventually created a nationwide resistance during the conflict.

The Soviets' massive military campaigns against the mujahideen were brutal and destructive. They used aerial bombing and strafing to target cities, villages, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, factories, and orchards. They also used scorched-earth tactics, destroying villages, livestock, and crops to deprive the guerrillas of resources and safe havens. The Soviets' brutality towards civilians and guerrilla fighters alike incensed the Afghan people and caused the mujahideen to gain strength and numbers.

The mujahideen favoured sabotage operations, such as damaging power lines, knocking out pipelines, and blowing up government buildings. They also used land mines heavily, often enlisting the services of local inhabitants, including children. They concentrated on both civilian and military targets, knocking out bridges, roads, and power lines, and attacking convoys, police stations, and Soviet military installations.

The Soviets' military campaigns resulted in the deaths of approximately 15,000 Soviet soldiers and the wounding of about 35,000 more. The war also took a heavy toll on the Afghan civilian population, with about two million civilians killed and millions more displaced. The massive loss of life and destruction caused by the war left a lasting impact on Afghanistan, contributing to decades of civil war and instability.

The Soviet–Afghan War was a major conflict of the Cold War, pitting the Soviet Union and its allies against the mujahideen and their foreign backers. The conflict was a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union, with the mujahideen receiving significant support from the US, Pakistan, and other countries. The Soviets' intervention in Afghanistan was met with international condemnation and led to a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics by the US and its allies.

The war had a significant impact on the Soviet Union, undermining the image of the Red Army as invincible and creating new forms of political participation. It also contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union by undermining its legitimacy and exacerbating internal tensions. The war caused a cleavage between the party and the military, and it emboldened those interested in independence in the non-Russian republics. The war also left a legacy of physical disabilities and widespread drug addiction throughout the USSR.

The war resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000,000 Afghans

The Soviet–Afghan War, which lasted from 1979 to 1989, resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000,000 Afghans. This figure includes both civilians and military personnel. The war also caused millions of Afghans to flee the country as refugees, with most externally displaced Afghans seeking refuge in Pakistan and Iran.

The war was fought between the Soviet-backed communist government of Afghanistan and the Mujahideen, who were supported by various foreign powers, most notably Pakistan, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. The Mujahideen, who blended in with the local population, employed guerrilla warfare tactics, which proved effective against the Soviet military. The Soviets responded with massive military campaigns that caused extensive destruction of local infrastructure and loss of life, leading the local population to side with the Mujahideen.

The Soviets' massive military campaigns against the Mujahideen resulted in extensive destruction and loss of life. The Soviets' aerial power was particularly devastating, with Soviet aircraft levelling villages, destroying vital irrigation ditches, and employing other scorched-earth tactics. The Soviets also laid millions of landmines across Afghanistan, which continued to kill and maim civilians long after the war ended.

The war caused grave destruction throughout Afghanistan and had a devastating impact on the country's economy, public health, security, and infrastructure. The conflict also exacerbated existing problems such as malnutrition, lack of access to clean drinking water, and poor sanitation. The war left Afghanistan with a legacy of violence, drug addiction, and criminality, with many Soviet veterans falling into a severe depression or bringing the violent methods of war back to their communities.

The war was a major conflict of the Cold War

The Soviet-Afghan War was a major conflict of the Cold War, pitting the Soviet Union and its allies against the Afghan mujahideen and their foreign backers. The war lasted from 1979 to 1989 and resulted in significant losses for both sides, with approximately 15,000 Soviet soldiers killed and millions of Afghans displaced or killed.

The war began when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979, sending in thousands of troops to support the local pro-Soviet government. This invasion was a watershed event during the Cold War, marking the only time the Soviet Union invaded a country outside the Eastern Bloc. The move was met with widespread condemnation and prompted the United States and its allies to devise measures to compel the Soviets to withdraw.

The mujahideen, a diverse group of Islamic insurgents, received support from various countries, most notably Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Iran, and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The United States, in particular, played a significant role in backing the mujahideen, seeing the conflict as an integral Cold War struggle. This support included financial aid, weapons, and intelligence assistance through the Pakistani intelligence services.

The Soviet Union's military strategy focused on occupying major cities and communication arteries, while the mujahideen waged guerrilla warfare across the rugged, mountainous terrain of Afghanistan. Despite their superior firepower, the Soviets struggled against the mujahideen's hit-and-run tactics and failed to pacify the country. The Soviet occupation sparked widespread nationalistic sentiment and united various Afghan factions in opposition to the foreign invaders.

As the war dragged on, the Soviet Union faced increasing international criticism and economic sanctions. The conflict also strained the Soviet Union's relations with other countries, particularly those in the Muslim world. The failure to achieve a swift victory and the mounting casualties took a toll on the Soviet Union's resources and morale.

The war in Afghanistan became a quagmire for the Soviet Union, contributing to its eventual dissolution in 1991. In 1988, the Soviet Union signed an accord with the United States, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, agreeing to withdraw its troops. The final Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, marking the end of a conflict that had devastating consequences for both Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.

The war contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union

The Soviet-Afghan War, which lasted from 1979 to 1989, contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union in several ways. Firstly, it undermined the image of the Red Army as invincible, and by extension, Soviet legitimacy. The war also created new forms of political participation, such as new civil organisations of war veterans, which weakened the hegemony of the Communist Party.

The war in Afghanistan was viewed as a "Soviet war fought by non-Soviets against Afghans", and as a result, undermined the legitimacy of the Soviet Union as a transnational political union. The war also created a cleavage between the party and the military, as the efficacy of using the Soviet military to maintain the USSR's overseas interests was put into doubt. In the non-Russian republics, those interested in independence were emboldened by the army's defeat. Some Russian leaders also began to doubt the ability to put down anti-Soviet resistance militarily.

The war was also costly for the Soviet Union, though not overwhelmingly so. It is estimated that around 15,000 Soviet soldiers died during the conflict, with the war costing the Soviet military around $7.5 billion. The war also strained the Soviet economy, which was already suffering from the effects of the Iranian Revolution, which had seen a massive increase in the price of oil. The military misadventure would contribute significantly to the USSR's collapse and breakup.

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