Facts and myths about the Afghan war. Interesting facts about Afghanistan

What do we know about the Afghan war? A lot and... nothing. There are still debates: whether it was necessary for the USSR to send its troops into Afghanistan or not, who they defended there - the people or a handful of supporters of the communist path of development, whether the geopolitical game was worth so many victims. In this article, we tried to collect and show interesting facts about this war that can help you give your assessment of these events.

The official beginning of the Afghan war can be considered the decision taken by the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee on December 12, 1979, in response to repeated requests from the Afghan government, to send in troops. Soviet troops to 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 capture of Kh. Amin’s residence by the forces of the Guards Airborne Division and its replacement by the more accommodating B. Karmal.

According to the loss data published to date Soviet Army in the Afghan war there were 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.

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) were killed or maimed, and several million more became refugees, many of whom fled the country.” . There appears to be no clear division of victims into government soldiers, mujahideen and civilians.

For 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 Soviet Union(28 posthumously). Among those awarded are 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 1,350 women.

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.

Over the nine years of the war, the losses of equipment and weapons amounted to: aircraft - 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.

The government in Kabul was dependent throughout the war on the USSR, which provided it with about $40 billion in military aid between 1978 and the early 1990s. Meanwhile, the rebels established contacts with Pakistan and the United States, and also received widespread support from 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.

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 with a total number of 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 seriously. All paratroopers for this battle were awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the Red Star. Junior Sergeant V.A. Alexandrov and Private A.A. Melnikov were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

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 of the Darai-Kalat mountain range in northeastern Afghanistan. A combat group of border guards from the Panfilov outpost of a motorized maneuver group (21 people) was 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.

There is a well-established opinion in the post-Soviet period that the USSR was defeated and expelled from Afghanistan. This 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 made it possible not only to save the lives of 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.

In November 1989, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR declared an amnesty for all crimes committed by Soviet military personnel in Afghanistan. According to the military prosecutor's office, from December 1979 to February 1989, 4,307 people were brought to criminal charges 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 soldiers were in prison - internationalists.

Afghanistan is a country of amazingly beautiful mountains, hot summers and sometimes cruel customs. Already for many years here the conflict continues, a fair part of the country is controlled by militants of various gangs and terrorist organizations, but against the backdrop of all this they are somehow trying to continue to live ordinary life ordinary people.

• Literally translated from Persian, “Afghanistan” means “Silent Country.” At the same time, from the languages ​​of the 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 the local city of Balkh.
• Afghanistan became the first state to recognize the RSFSR after the revolution.
• This country is largest producer 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.

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 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. Today they are not even trying to hide the Anglo-Saxon trace of the Afghan conflict. According to the memoirs of former CIA Director Robert Gates, on July 3, 1979, American President Jimmy Carter signed a secret presidential order authorizing funding for anti-government forces in Afghanistan, and Zbigniew Brzezinski directly said: “We did not push the Russians to interfere, but we deliberately increased the likelihood that they would will do."

2 Afghan axis

Afghanistan is geopolitically a pivot 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.

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 was working 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 authorized “economic assistance” to the Afghan opposition in the amount of $15 million, as well as military assistance - 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. Special "thank you" anti-alcohol campaign Gorbachev. 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 a 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

As is known, not a single government in the world has yet, even if we're talking about a modern, well-technically equipped superpower, with the help of military force and technology, was unable to impose its will on weaker opponents. On their side were the struggle for the liberation of their native land, a high patriotic spirit, as well as the 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 location Afghanistan - right in the heart of Eurasia - since early XIX century made this country the epicenter of an intense struggle between the Russian and British empires for spheres of influence. This struggle went on with varying degrees of success. Afghanistan gained independence in 1919. Until the Soviet invasion in December 1979, the political situation inside Afghanistan was extremely unstable. There was a fierce struggle between Islamist Mujahideen and supporters republican form board. The latter turned to the Soviet leaders with a request to send a limited contingent of 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. The presence of instability in a neighboring state, in close proximity to the Soviet border, became the final reason for military intervention.

The course and main battles of the Afghan war

During the storming of the presidential palace by Soviet special forces soldiers, 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 the 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 manage to capture several Stinger missiles. At the same time, Marshal S.F. Akhromeev was forced to admit that it was not possible to establish complete control over the entire territory of Afghanistan during the six years of war. A phased withdrawal of troops began. It was completed in February 1989. The total losses of Soviet troops during the entire period of the war amounted to about 15,000 people. Political stability did not occur inside 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. We had to perform in extreme conditions, with the constant threat of rocket fire.
• One of A. Rosenbaum’s most famous songs is “Black Tulip” - a tribute to the memory of soldiers who died while performing their international duty in Afghanistan.

2. Literally translated from Persian, “Afghanistan” means “Silent Country.” At the same time, from the languages ​​of the 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.

3. The state of Afghanistan is located in South-West Asia. Bordered by Pakistan in the south and east, Iran in the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north, China and India in the extreme northeast, Afghanistan is located in the center surrounded by these large countries.

4. Afghanistan is one of the most ancient countries in the world. 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.

5. Afghanistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, along with Somalia.

The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul

6. The capital of Afghanistan, Kabul is one of the most dangerous cities in the world, but not because of robbers and bandits, but because of terrorists. A similar situation prevailed in another hot spot world - the city of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

7. The age of Kabul is over three and a half thousand years.

8. Afghanistan is a very ancient country; it was first mentioned in the chronicles of the 6th century BC. BC, when it was incorporated into the Persian Achaemenid Empire.

9. Around 330 BC. e. Afghanistan was conquered by Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death, the country was ruled by Greek, Indian, Iranian, Arab and Mongol rulers, and then the first Afghan state emerged, led by Emir Ahmad Shah.

10. Therefore, the number of various historical monuments that this land preserves is simply enormous. But due to the extremely reactionary political system and strict religious norms, most of them are inaccessible to visitors, and some monuments are even ruthlessly destroyed.

11. The largest copper deposit in Eurasia was discovered near Kabul, the Afghan capital. The largest iron ore deposit in South Asia is located in the same area.

12. In Afghanistan, 99% of whose population is Muslim, there is only one pig, and it is kept in the Kabul Zoo.

13. Islamic conquerors came to the country in the 7th century, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane - in the 13th and 14th centuries.

14. On the territory of this country there is no very concept of an official language - in different regions in use different languages and adverbs.

15. In 1220, Genghis Khan's Mongol warriors conquered Afghanistan, and Mongol descendants ruled much of the region until 1747.

Kandahar city

16. The city of Kandahar has been famous for its oriental bazaars throughout the centuries; there are several beautiful mosques and the tomb of the first emir of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah.

17. Scientists believe that one of the ancient religions, Zoroastrianism, originated in Afghanistan several thousand years BC, and Zarathustra himself allegedly lived and died in the local city of Balkh.

18. The dates of many important events and holidays in the country are very arbitrary, since the Afghan calendar differs significantly from the European one and is based on the traditional Islamic lunar calendar.

19.Depending on the region, many national holidays can last from two to ten days and have no fixed duration.

20. Afghan athletes took part in 13 Summer Olympics, and during this time they won two bronze medals in taekwondo competitions. The same wrestler became victorious both times.

Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif

21. Mazar-i-Sharif is famous for its 15th-century mosque, which houses the tomb of Caliph Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.

22. In Afghanistan, railway lines other than the recently built Mazar-i-Sharif - Hairatan line are limited to short lines across the Amu Darya from Termez in Uzbekistan and Jeiretan in Afghanistan, and a short line between the city of Kushka in Turkmenistan and Turagundi in Afghanistan.

23. Afghan drug traffickers use pigeons to smuggle illegal substances across the border.

24. Afghanistan became the first state to recognize the RSFSR after the revolution.

25. Darius I and Alexander the Great were the first to use Afghanistan as a gateway to India.

Amu Darya River

26. The Amu Darya River is part of the natural border with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and barge traffic is open along it.

27. Afghan cuisine is as unique as its music, as Afghanistan lies at the crossroads of Persian, Indian and Turkic civilizations.

28. Afghan cuisine is one of the most ancient on the planet. IN everyday life Afghans make do with a very meager set of dishes - various options pilaf and shish kebab, all kinds of thick soups, rice and pasta, accompanied by the inevitable naan flatbread, cheese and tea.

29.Non – flat unleavened flatbread, translated as “bread” – is the staple food in Afghanistan.

Afghan Hound

31. 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.

32. The national dance of the Afghans is attan, 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.

33. Poetry has been a significant part of Afghan culture for centuries. People still gather on Thursdays to read poetry to each other.

34. 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.

35. Independence Day in Afghanistan coincides with Independence Day in Great Britain, and is celebrated at the same time - August 19th.

Mount Noshak

37. Among the few temptations in Afghanistan for tourists, the first place is the Babur Garden, founded by the Mughals, and then developed and decorated by all the dynasties of Afghan rulers.

38. 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.

39. Seasonal temperature changes in Afghanistan are very significant - winters here are harsh and cold, and summers are unbearably hot.

40. The birthplace of carrots is Afghanistan, but they are grown in all countries of the world.

Afghan national pastime “buzkashi”

41. The Afghan national pastime “buzkashi” is a game in which the participant must catch a goat while riding a horse.

42. Football is officially banned in six countries, including Afghanistan.

43. In the Taliban tradition, women do not have the opportunity to get an education, work outside the home, or go to another city. The main occupation of women is caring for children.

44. Afghanistan ranks fourth in the world in the number of children born by local women - on average, each woman in this country gives birth 6-7 times.

45. 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.

Hindu Kush - mountain system in Afghanistan

46. ​​Consisting of two huge mountain ranges, the Hindu Kush is one of the most majestic and beautiful mountain systems in the world. These mountains have retained a completely pristine appearance and would be an excellent area for hiking and mountaineering.

47. Afghanistan is landlocked and therefore has no maritime transport.

48. Traffic on the roads of Afghanistan is on the right.

49. The highway connecting the main cities of Herat, Kandahar, Ghazni and Kabul with a branch to neighboring Pakistan is the basis of the road system in Afghanistan.

50. In Afghanistan, beautiful mountains, valleys and lakes create an absolutely stunning landscape that remains inaccessible to most tourists.

Aul in Afghanistan

photo from the Internet