Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan began on 24 December 1979. Within days, Soviet troops had been air-dropped into Afghan cities, heavy artillery had breached the border, and the KGB had poisoned the Afghan president and his ministers. The invasion sparked a bloody, nine-year civil war. The conflict would see approximately one million citizens lose their lives, the country razed to ruins, and ultimately contribute to the downfall of the Soviet Union.

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.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Timeline

Here is a quick timeline outlining the Soviet-Afghan War:

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 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.

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.

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.