Soviets in Afghanistan
- Created by: Qiao-Chu
- Created on: 15-04-13 20:11
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- Soviets in Afghanistan
- Tactics
- Changed in 1986, far more defensive whereas previously offensive
- Concentrated on using the air but USA supplied mujahidin with ant-warcraft weapons from 1987 so further loss of Soviet lives and equipment
- Gorbachev announced beginning of troop withdrawal in 1986, but first withdrawals replaced
- February 1988 full withdrawal announced for USSR from Afghanistan, completed 1989
- Effects of war in Afghanistan
- 15000 Soviet troops killed, over half a million casualties
- USSR lost many heavy equipment such as planes, tanks and armoured vehicles
- Huge expenses crippled Soviet economy
- War proved Red Army not invincible, could no longer be relied on to keep Soviet Empire together
- Questions asked in USSR about huge costs of maintaining armed force that could not defeat the Afghan
- Effect on army and economy contributed to collapse of Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe
- Over 1 million Afghans died, including children killed by Soviet mines, increased Afghan's hatred of foreigners
- Soviet withdrawal did not end war, civil war continued until 1992 when mujahidin captured Kabul from communist government
- Afghanistan became centre for terrorist activity
- Tactics
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