favorable geographical position and underdevelopment of Afghanistan has always contributed to the only other countries to claim ownership of the territorial state.Afghanistan has repeatedly been subjected to invasions of enemy troops, there have been many wars.But there is in this country, an unprecedented event, the government of the state in person to ask for help from the Soviet Union to eliminate the unfolding of civil unrest in the country of Afghanistan.The war, of which there are still differences of opinion began.Soviet troops only contributed to the development of a conflict with the civilian population, and the opposition affected the whole world.
Background One of the main reasons for the invasion of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, as claimed by the authorities of the USSR, was the desire to support the supporters of socialist concepts that prevail in the dominant positions of the state after the April revolution, but subsequently experienced strong resistance from the opposition.On the war in Afghanistan says a huge amount of work, but many of them contradict each other.
However, most researchers agree that all of the Soviet Union took the decision to participate in the military conflict, because he intended to disarm the Islamic fundamentalists who have gained strength in this territory after the revolution took place in Iran in 1979.
international background
appearance of a conflict, and contributed to the ideological mood of the Soviet Union.Afghanistan, where the war broke out, and would not the Soviet invasion, could cause serious blow to the community, provided the impetus for the overthrow of the pro-Soviet government.In addition, the spread of fundamentalism but the destabilization of the political situation could have a significant impact on Central Asia.According to statements by the Soviet Union, taking part in a military conflict, the government was guided by the "proletarian internationalism."Politburo also to justify their actions to other states, declared that the invasion caused by the repeated appeals of the Afghan government for help in the fight against anti-government forces.
As the war began?
says a lot about Afghanistan, but it is difficult to understand what is true and what is false, because any military action developed under the influence of at least several factors.The confrontation of 1979-1989 - is just one of the stages of the civil war in Afghanistan, during which were present in the territory of the Soviet troops who wanted to make peace.On one side are the forces of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, on the other - armed members of the opposition known as the mujahideen, or spooks.The winning side would gain total control over the entire country.
limited contingent of 40 Army
general name of all divisions of the Soviet troops staying on the territory of Afghanistan - a limited contingent, whose main strength was the 40th Army.Last colonel-general, who led the withdrawal of the army, said that it is impossible to say, the Soviet victory in the confrontation or, on the contrary, lost.It can be said only that troops coped with the task in front of them and were able to return home.Before the union of the 40th Army were delivered to several problems.First of all, the Soviet troops in Afghanistan should help the country's government to stabilize the situation and contribute to ending the war.This was done primarily through the fight against armed opposition troops.In addition, the Soviet troops on the territory of a State were to prevent aggression by other countries.According to the colonel, 40th Army fully cope with these tasks.
results confrontation
After all, Soviet troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan on February 15 mode ruler Najibullah adhering openly pro-Soviet ideas was overthrown three years later, and he fell only when Russia stopped itssupport, ie in 1992.Participation in this group took the field Mujahideen.During the war the damage was caused not only the country of Afghanistan.The war has contributed to consolidate the position of Islamic radicals and the creation of the terrorist group al-Qaeda.They still are the initiators of conflicts around the world, particularly in Chechnya, Algeria and Egypt.
who went to fight in Afghanistan?
War is always in need of soldiers, whether small or large-scale opposition actions on the territory of several countries.Soviet people was fixed an opinion that was sent to Afghanistan wagons eighteen boys, who had no choice but to become cannon fodder.However, this is not true.Much of the soldiers are sent to Afghanistan voluntarily, some deceived by Soviet propaganda, some to go through a real school of life, some to protect their homeland.There were, of course, and those who turned out to be a party to a foreign war against his will, by order of the state, and there were many.This is not surprising, because the soldiers are sent to war for which they actually did not have a special relationship.Ideological warriors walked on it to protect their homeland to fight for a better future in their country.Some citizens of the USSR it was unthinkable and it seemed to them that this is another deception tyrants agitators.However, a large part of the officers and soldiers are sent to war on their own;for some laurels and glory, some for money, some - just to test myself.
excellent proof of all of the above is the fact that in the autumn of 1988, when the life of many of the military in Afghanistan has expired, and they could go home, they did not.The soldiers themselves invited to stay for a few more months to newcomers who do not yet have the relevant experience, were not killed.
Losses USSR
There were also killed in the Republic of Afghanistan.War of 1979 claimed many lives of Soviet soldiers.However, if the annual loss to the Soviet Union in 1537 reached the average man, the enemy suffered a lot more.According to various sources, the whole campaign was lost from 1 million to 1.2 million people.Of course, one and a half thousands of lives - a huge number, but do not forget that the Soviet troops had to survive in an unfamiliar area to an unfamiliar climate.For comparison: for example, in Iraq, killing 3677 soldiers, even though the advantage of the weapons was on the US side.
Results
Many Soviet soldiers often still very young, was sent to Afghanistan.The war was in need of them, and they did not disappoint neither the government nor the citizens.This courageous people who were able to defend their homeland, to protect their loved ones.Iran, Afghanistan, Chechnya ... The war did not pass without bloodshed, but the Soviet military was able to do all that was required of them, losing a minimum number of lives.It was the decision of the USSR is correct or not, it is now no longer so important, late judge.The dead do not return, but the lives of these characters have helped to strengthen peace in our country.After all, that's exactly what they sought.
