Main content
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
Thu 27 Dec 201804:50GMT
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East, News Internet & West and Central Africa
Broadcasts
- Boxing Day 201808:50GMTBBC World Service
- Boxing Day 201812:50GMTBBC World Service
- Boxing Day 201813:50GMTBBC World Service News Internet
- Boxing Day 201816:50GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Boxing Day 201818:50GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, South Asia & West and Central Africa
- Boxing Day 201821:50GMTBBC World Service South Asia
- Boxing Day 201823:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Thu 27 Dec 201804:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East, News Internet & West and Central Africa
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there
