The Soviet Afghan War Begins
The world held its breath in December 1979 as Soviet troops poured into Afghanistan. Moscow said they'd stay six months; they were there almost 10 years.
In late December 1979, the world held its breath as thousands of Soviet troops were sent into Afghanistan. Moscow said the troops would be there six months, to help bring peace to the country. In fact, the Soviet army stayed almost ten years, and Afghanistan came to be seen as the Soviet Union's Vietnam. Louise Hidalgo has been talking to journalist Andrei Ostalski and former soldier Vyacheslav Ismailov about that time.
Picture: Soviet tanks in front of the Darulaman Palace in Kabul (Credit: Henri Bureau/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Boxing Day 2018 08:50GMT大象传媒 World Service
- Boxing Day 2018 12:50GMT大象传媒 World Service
- Boxing Day 2018 13:50GMT大象传媒 World Service News Internet
- Boxing Day 2018 16:50GMT大象传媒 World Service Australasia
- Boxing Day 2018 18:50GMT大象传媒 World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, South Asia & West and Central Africa
- Boxing Day 2018 21:50GMT大象传媒 World Service South Asia
- Boxing Day 2018 23:50GMT大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Thu 27 Dec 2018 04:50GMT大象传媒 World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East, News Internet & West and Central Africa
Podcast
-
![]()
Witness History
History as told by the people who were there
