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Soviet invasion of Afghanistan Summary
After the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, the conflict lasted nine years, finally ceasing on 15 February 1989. For the Soviet Union, Afghanistan was an area of critical geopolitical importance during the Cold War. With the Afghan regime faltering and the threat of US intervention on the horizon, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev decided to take action.
Despite taking Kabul in a matter of days, the Soviet forces faltered in the countryside regions, meeting fierce resistance from the US-backed mujahidin. With no victory on the horizon, new Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev decided it was time to withdraw from Afghanistan. The retreat began in 1988 and ended on 15 February 1989.
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan resulted in colossal loss of life, the deterioration of US-Soviet relations, and ultimately contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Great Game
Between 1813 and 1907, Great Britain and Tsarist Russia fought for control over Central Asia. This bitter rivalry became known as the Great Game. During this near-century-long conflict, Great Britain sought to prevent Russian expansion and create a buffer zone around India – the crown jewel of the British Empire. Afghanistan was a country of immense strategic importance during the Great Game. Between 1839 and 1919, Britain fought three wars in Afghanistan to prevent Russian intrusion.
Despite significant geopolitical changes in the early 20th century, Afghanistan's significance didn't change; neither the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution nor the end of British colonialism in India changed the strategic importance of Afghanistan. After winning independence in 1919, Afghanistan established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, becoming the first nation to recognise the legitimacy of the Bolshevik regime. Over the following years, the Soviet Union provided financial and military assistance to Afghanistan.
After the culmination of the Second World War and the inception of Cold War hostilities, Afghanistan was once again thrust into the crossfire of geopolitical conflict.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Timeline
Here is a quick timeline outlining the Soviet-Afghan War:
| Date | Event |
| 1968 | The Brezhnev Doctrine. |
| 1973 | King Mohammed Zahir Shah was ousted by Mohammed Daoud Khan and Afghanistan was made a Republic. |
| 1978 | People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) ousted Khan during the Saur Revolution. |
| The 1978 Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty. | |
| 1979 | After murdering PDPA leader Nur Muhammad Taraki, Hafizullah Amin seized power. |
| In December, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and Babrak Karma – ex-leader of the PDPA – was proclaimed leader. | |
| The Soviet Union met fierce resistance from the Mujahidin in the countryside. | |
| 1987 | The introduction of US anti-aircraft missiles gave the Mujahidin an advantage. |
| 1988 | Mikhail Gorbachev ordered the withdrawal of troops. |
| 1989 | The last Soviet troops left Afghanistan on 15 February 1989. |
Causes of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
There were several reasons why the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Let's look at each in detail.
Declining Control over Afghanistan
In July 1973, King Mohammed Zahir Shah was deposed by his cousin, Mohammed Daoud Khan, who established a republic. Initially, the Soviet Union welcomed this political transition to a more left-wing regime. However, it soon transpired that Khan would not be a mere puppet of the USSR.
In 1978, the communist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) ousted Khan, killing him and 18 of his family members. This event has come to be known as the Saur Revolution.
The PDPA was split, frail, and unstable; the communist leadership faced significant opposition throughout Afghanistan. The internal division of the party was exemplified in 1979; Hafizullah Amin led an internal party coup, murdering Nur Muhammad Taraki, the leader of the PDPA. After the coup, Amin seized power, establishing a bloody and brutal regime.
The instability of Afghanistan and its increasing autonomy from the USSR worried the Soviet hierarchy.
The Brezhnev Doctrine
In 1968, Leonid Brezhnev introduced the Brezhnev Doctrine. This legislation justified Soviet military intervention, proclaiming that any threat to a socialist nation was a threat to socialism.
By 1979, the Afghan regime was failing. This gave the Soviet Union a chance to uphold the Brezhnev Doctrine militarily. If they didn't, other socialist nations might begin to question the USSR's readiness to support socialist regimes.
US Involvement
The instability of the Afghan regime concerned the Soviet Union. Soviet Premier, Leonid Brezhnev, believed that it was only a matter of time until the Afghan leadership turned to the United States for assistance. Even if US intervention wasn't an imminent threat, the brutality of Amin's ruthless leadership undermined Soviet authority.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan 1979
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 under the guise of upholding the 1978 Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty.
The 1978 Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty
This Treaty was signed between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. The agreement was a bid by the Soviet Union to prop up the pro-Soviet regime by promising financial and military aid.
The USSR enacted a military airlift into Afghanistan, deploying 280 aircraft and 25,000 soldiers. Within a matter of days, the Soviets had taken Kabul.
Fig. 1 - Soviets enter Kabul
By 27 December, Babrak Karma – ex-leader of the PDPA – was inaugurated as the new leader of Afghanistan. As Karma was installed as the new head of government, USSR forces entered northern Afghanistan.
In the countryside, the Soviet forces were met with fierce resistance. Afghan resistance fighters, known as mujahidin, saw the Soviet invasion as an assault on Islamic culture in the region. The mujahidin were assisted and subsidised by the United States of America.
The situation in Afghanistan quickly transformed from a Civil War into a Proxy War between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War; the Soviet Union supported the PDPA government and the USA supported the mujahidin.
Mujahidin
An armed Islamic rebel group that opposed the PDPA and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Fig. 2 - Injured Mujahidin receive medical treatment at US Base
The mujahidin employed guerrilla warfare to significant effect, attacking quickly before retreating into the mountains.
Guerrilla Warfare
The use of 'hit-and-run' tactics used by small, often non-military, groups against large organised forces. Guerrilla warfare typically involves ambushes, sabotage, and raids.
In 1987, the introduction of US anti-aircraft missiles significantly boosted the mujahidin as they could now shoot down Soviet aircraft.
Fig. 3 - Painting of mujahidin using anti-aircraft missiles
With no victory on the horizon, new Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev decided it was time to withdraw from Afghanistan. The retreat began in 1988 and ended on 15 February 1989.
Consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Let's look at the critical consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
Huge loss of life
Over nine years, approximately 90,000 Mujahidin, 18,000 Afghan soldiers, and one million civilians lost their lives.
End of Détente
Cold War relations from the late 1960s to the late 1970s were defined by a period of détente. Détente was a thawing of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. The period of détente ended when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. In response, US President Jimmy Carter increased US defence spending and assisted the mujahidin.
SALT II Arms Treaty Stopped
The second Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II) were a series of negotiations between the Soviet Union and the US regarding the curtailment of nuclear weapons. The talks ended in 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.
Rise of Terrorism
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan displaced many Afghan citizens, with many people being sent to refugee camps. Refugee camps became a hotbed for religious indoctrination and brainwashing.
The Collapse of the Soviet Union
While not the sole reason for the collapse of the Soviet Union, the failed invasion of Afghanistan accelerated the process. The incredibly expensive conflict crippled the Soviet economy, swayed public opinion, and demonstrated that the Red Army was not unbeatable. Such factors led to more and more Eastern Bloc countries vying for independence.
Soviets and Afghanistan – Key Takeaways
- On 24 December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.
- The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan because of the Brezhnev Doctrine, the Soviet Union's declining control over the region, potential US involvement, and the country's strategic importance.
- Despite taking Kabul in a matter of days, the Soviets were halted by the US-backed mujahidin in the countryside.
- With no end in sight, Mikhail Gorbachev decided to withdraw troops in 1988.
- The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan resulted in massive loss of life, the souring of US-Soviet relations, and ultimately contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
What was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a 9-year conflict between the USSR and US-backed mujahidin.
When was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan took place on 24 December 1979. It lasted for 9 years, finally ceasing on 15 February 1989.
What caused the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
Afghanistan was an area of key geopolitical importance during the Cold War. With the Afghan regime faltering and the threat of US intervention on the horizon, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev decided to take action and invade Afghanistan.
Was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan a proxy war?
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a proxy war because the USA supplied the mujahidin without being directly involved.
How did the Soviet-Afghan war end?
After 8 years of fighting, there was no perceived victory in site for the USSR; consequently new Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev decided it was time to withdraw from Afghanistan; The retreat began in 1988 and ended on 15 February 1989.
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