Soviet Army in Afghanistan 1979-1989: War and Afghanka Uniform Guide

Soviet Army in Afghanistan 1979-1989

The Soviet war in Afghanistan was not spontaneous. Many years before the invasion, the Soviet Union built a road through the Salang Pass. It was later called the “Shuravi road.” This road created a direct route for Soviet military vehicles from the USSR straight to Kabul, which is exactly what happened in the winter of 1980.

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In this article, I will show a rather rare collection of color photographs from the Afghan War period.

Soviet tanks moving along a road in Afghanistan during the 1980s war — Soviet tanks on Afghan roads during the 1980s.

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Mainly motorized rifle units, tank divisions, artillery, and airborne troops (VDV) were sent into Afghanistan. The airborne forces later became some of the most active units in combat, as they were among the most combat-ready troops in the Soviet Army. Aviation units were also deployed and later assigned to the 40th Army as its air force component.

At first, it was believed that there would be no large-scale fighting. The 40th Army was expected to guard important strategic and industrial facilities in the country and support the Afghan government. However, Soviet troops were quickly drawn into active combat operations, supporting the government forces of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. This led to an escalation of the conflict, as the opposing side also strengthened its forces in response.

Soviet BTR armored vehicles in Afghanistan mountain region during the 1980s conflict, local civilians walking nearby — Soviet armored personnel carriers (APCs) in a mountainous region of Afghanistan, while local women in traditional burqas walk past on the roadside.

Very soon it became clear that the Soviet Army’s training for a “classic” large-scale war did not work well in Afghanistan. The country’s mountainous terrain and the guerrilla tactics used by the mujahideen changed everything.

The fighters would appear almost out of nowhere, launch quick and painful attacks, and then disappear into the mountains and narrow valleys.

In these conditions, heavy Soviet tanks and infantry fighting vehicles were often of little use. They could not climb steep mountain slopes, and their guns often could not hit targets positioned high above them. The angle of elevation simply did not allow them to fire effectively at enemies on mountain ridges.

Soviet armored vehicles and military trucks moving along a mountain road in Afghanistan during the Soviet Afghan War — Soviet armored convoy on a winding mountain road in Afghanistan, 1979-1989.

The Soviet command soon began to adopt some of the tactics used by the mujahideen. They started operating in small assault groups, setting up ambushes on supply caravans, carefully scouting the terrain to find the best mountain paths, and trying to work with the local population.

By 1980–1981, the typical style of the Afghan war had taken shape: road checkpoints, small high-altitude operations carried out by helicopter units and airborne troops, blocking and clearing so-called “rebel” villages, and frequent ambushes.

Soviet soldiers at camouflaged firing positions in Afghanistan, one soldier taking photos, Afghan War 1980s — Soviet soldier photographing camouflaged firing positions in a flat desert area during the Afghan War, 1980s.

This photo from the early 1980s shows a T-62 tank positioned on high ground, covering the movement of a fuel convoy. In Afghanistan, fuel trucks were often called “tankers” or “fuel carriers.”

The tank looks worn and battle-used, suggesting it had already spent significant time in combat. Its gun is aimed toward the mountains and the “green zone” – a strip of vegetation where mujahideen ambushes could be hidden.

Soviet T-62 tank on high ground in Afghanistan early 1980s covering fuel convoy during Afghan War — Early 1980s. A Soviet T-62 tank positioned on elevated terrain provides cover for a fuel convoy moving through mountainous Afghanistan. The gun is aimed toward the surrounding hills and vegetation where ambushes were common

Afghan people called the Soviet troops shuravi, which in Dari simply means “Soviet.”

In return, Soviet soldiers called their opponents dushmans – from the same Dari language, meaning “enemies.” They also used a shortened nickname, dukhi.

Almost every movement of the shuravi along the country’s roads quickly became known to the dushmans. The reason was simple: they received information directly from local residents. This made it much easier to organize ambushes and plant mines on the roads.

Even today, Afghanistan still has many mined areas. Mines were laid by both the mujahideen and Soviet forces during the war.

Soviet BTR armored personnel carriers driving in convoy across a desert road in Afghanistan during the 1980s war — Soviet BTR convoy on an Afghan highway, 1980s.

The classic Afghan uniform is easy to recognize because of the panama hat. It protected soldiers from the sun much better than the standard side cap that was used in the Soviet Army at that time. A sand-colored field cap was also common. Interestingly, this type of panama was not something completely new. Very similar hats were worn by Soviet troops during the battles of Khalkhin Gol in 1939.

In the photo below, the soldiers are wearing the early version M69 of the uniform, with exposed buttons. Later, the Afghanka uniform was updated with many additional pockets and a flap that covered the buttons, so they would not tear off during activities like climbing in the mountains.

Soviet soldiers wearing early Afghanka uniform with wide-brim panama hats in Afghanistan, early 1980s — Soviet troops in early Afghanka uniform M69 with panama hats, Afghanistan, early 1980s.

Soviet leather belt with buckle you can find here: Soviet Belt

Soldiers wore classic Soviet kirza boots and lace-up Afghan combat boots with nailed soles. Some also wore sneakers, which were much more comfortable in the hot Afghan climate. Sneakers were often bought in Afghan city bazaars, known as “dukans”, and sometimes taken from captured mujahideen supply caravans.

A detailed Afghan combat boots guide can be found here:

Soviet Combat Boots of the Afghan War: Testing 3 Designs

Soviet soldiers in Afghanka uniform smiling in Afghanistan, early 1980s — Soviet soldiers wearing Afghanka uniforms during the Afghanistan war, early 1980s.

Looking for Soviet Telnyashka? You can get them here → [Soviet Telnyashka]

The classic “Afghanka” uniform with many large patch pockets appeared in the second half of the 1980s. It came in several versions. There were special sets for tank crews, motor rifle units, airborne troops, and the well-known airborne jump suit called the “mabuta,” along with a few other variations.
A detailed uniform guide can be found here: Guide of the Soviet Afghanka Uniform (M88)

By the color of the uniform, it was often easy to guess how long a soldier had served in Afghanistan. Over time, the yellow cotton fabric faded under the strong sun and could turn almost white.

Soviet soldiers in Afghanka uniform walking beside armored vehicles during the Afghanistan War 1979-1989 — Soviet troops in classic Afghanka uniform M88, telnyashka and combat boots moving with an armored column during the Afghanistan War.

Looking Soviet Afghan combat boots? You can get them here →[Soviet M88 combat Boots]

There were also winter versions of the Afghanka uniform. They were used during the colder months, because Afghanistan was not always hot, and also in high mountain areas where the climate could be very cold. The winter set included an insulated jacket with four large patch pockets.

There were no proper tactical goggles in the Soviet Army at that time. In the photo, you can see a driver wearing what looks like a simple Soviet blue swimming mask to protect his eyes from dust and wind.

Soviet tank driver in winter Afghanka uniform wearing improvised swimming goggles during the Afghan War — Soviet tank driver in winter Afghanka uniform, protecting his eyes with improvised goggles.

This is how the mujahideen often looked. Their clothing was usually very mixed and informal. They combined traditional Afghan garments with captured military uniforms and regular civilian clothes from that time, such as Adidas tracksuits and Puma sneakers.

Open footwear, similar to modern sandals or flip-flops, was also quite common, especially in warmer areas.

Mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan in the 1980s wearing mixed traditional and civilian clothing and holding AK rifles — Mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan during the 1980s, wearing a mix of traditional clothing, civilian outfits and captured military gear.

Ahmad Shah Massoud was a field commander and one of the main opponents of the Soviet forces in Afghanistan. In this photo, he is surrounded by his mujahideen fighters. You can clearly see that their clothing is very mixed. The man standing to the right of Massoud is wearing what looks like a captured Soviet military hat.

Besides the traditional turban, many Afghans also wore a hat called a pakol. It is a soft, round cap made from thin wool, similar in shape to a loose beret.

In the photo, Ahmad Shah Massoud is wearing a pakol, and some of his fighters are wearing it as well.

Ahmad Shah Massoud with mujahideen fighters wearing traditional pakol caps in Afghanistan during the 1980s war — Ahmad Shah Massoud with his fighters. Many of them are wearing traditional pakol wool caps.

These are Afghan refugees. Visually, they often did not differ much from the mujahideen.

Afghan refugees walking through snow in the mountains during the 1980s Afghan war — Afghan refugees crossing snowy mountain terrain during the war

Soviet T-62 tank in Afghanistan near a mountain village during the 1980s war — T-62 tank positioned near a mountain village in Afghanistan

Aviation played a very important role in the Afghan War, especially helicopters. Most supplies were delivered by air, and helicopters were also used for combat missions and to protect military convoys.

In the photo, a helicopter of the Afghan government army is providing cover for a Soviet convoy.

Afghan government army helicopter flying over mountains while covering a Soviet military convoy during the Afghan War in the 1980s — Afghan government helicopter covering a Soviet convoy in the mountains.

A helicopter of the Afghan government army flies low over mountainous terrain during the 1980s, providing air support and protection for a Soviet convoy. Helicopters played a key role in the war, delivering supplies and supporting ground operations in difficult terrain.

Afghan mujahideen standing on wreckage of a shot down Afghan government helicopter in Zabul province 1990 — Mujahideen standing on a destroyed Afghan government helicopter in Zabul province, 1990.

Soviet soldiers who were captured had their military uniforms taken away and were dressed in traditional Afghan clothing.

It is also known that some of the prisoners converted to Islam and chose to stay in Afghanistan.

Captured Soviet soldiers dressed in traditional Afghan clothing after being taken prisoner during the Soviet–Afghan War — Captured Soviet soldiers wearing Afghan clothing after being taken prisoner

A checkpoint in Kabul, winter 1989, shortly before the withdrawal of Soviet troops. In the photo you can see a typical Kabul landscape with snow-covered mountains on the horizon.