Soviet-Afghan War
Soviet-Afghan War
The Soviet-Afghan War began when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to support that country’s communist government.
Key results:
- huge civilian death toll
- millions of refugees fled to Pakistan and Iran
- the Soviet army failed to defeat Afghan guerrilla forces
- the war placed severe stress on the Soviet system
Significance
The war damaged Soviet legitimacy and exposed the limits of Soviet power.
Bigger Picture
It became one of the major conflicts that helped undermine the Soviet Union and contributed to the end of Détente. :contentReference[oaicite:13]