Losses during the Afghan war. How many Soviet soldiers died in the Afghan war?

February 15th is a holiday for all the guys who had the opportunity to fulfill their international duty in Afghanistan, defending people other than their own, being seriously wounded and maimed, dying in a foreign country in a strange, but not our, war. Large, bright, anniversary. This year marks exactly 20 years since the launch Soviet troops from DRA.
The war in Afghanistan lasted from 1979 to 1989. It lasted nine years, one month and nineteen days. On December 25, 1979, on the basis of the Soviet-Afghan treaty of 1978, the introduction of Soviet troops into the DRA began in three directions: Kushka-Shindand-Kandahar, Termez-Kunduz-Kabul, Khorog-Fayzabad. The troops landed at the airfields of Kabul, Bagram, and Kandahar.
The official purpose of the entry was to prevent the threat of foreign military intervention, but very soon our limited contingent (OKSV) was drawn into the flaring up civil war and became its active participant
Some of those who went through all the circles of hell in this war are trying to forget about it, not to remember or share memories, someone has become completely embittered White light for a crippled body, soul, youth, life, someone, on the contrary, believes that they have gone through a harsh, but very necessary school of life.
But be that as it may, February 15, 1989 became a starting point for all survivors. Countdown to peaceful life…..
Every year on this day, “Afghans” remember and commemorate their comrades who died on foreign soil and remained young forever. This year will be no exception.

Statistics on losses.

Total losses:

1979 - 86 people
1980 - 1484 people
1981 - 1298 people
1982 - 1948 people
1983 - 1446 people
1984 - 2346 people
1985 - 1868 people
1986 - 1333 people
1987 - 1215 people
1988 - 759 people
1989 - 53 people.

Total deaths: 14,453 people.

In combat: 9511
Died from wounds: 2386
Died from disease: 817
Died in accidents, disasters, as a result of incidents, committed suicide: 739.

By rank:

Generals and officers: 2129
Ensigns: 632
Sergeants and soldiers: 11,549
Workers and employees: 139.

Missing and captured: 417
Released: 119
Returned home: 97
Live in other countries: 22

Total sanitary losses in Afghanistan: 469,685
Wounded, shell-shocked, injured: 53,753
Sick: 415 392

Of them:
- returned to service: 455 071
- dismissed due to health reasons: 11,654
- died (included in the number of irretrievable losses): 2960
- Of 11,654 dismissed for health reasons
- became disabled: 10,751
1 group: 672
2 groups: 4216
3 groups: 5863

Equipment losses:
Aircraft: 118
Helicopters: 333
Tanks: 147
BMP, armored personnel carrier, BRDM: 1314
Guns, mortars: 433
Radio stations, command and staff vehicles: 1138
Engineering vehicles: 510
Flatbed vehicles, fuel tankers: 11,369.

Losses of the local population 1 million 240 thousand people. (9 percent of the country's population).

Well very interesting information Political-economic analysis of events and interesting statistics can be obtained at.

Mujahideen fighting against Soviet soldiers were particularly cruel. For example, the authors of the book “Battles that Changed the Course of History: 1945-2004” make the following calculations. Since opponents considered the Russians to be “interventionists and occupiers,” when counting those killed, about 5 thousand per year—13 people died per day in the Afghan war. There were 180 military camps in Afghanistan, 788 battalion commanders took part in military operations. On average, one commander served in Afghanistan for 2 years, therefore, in less than 10 years, the number of commanders changed 5 times. If you divide the number of battalion commanders by 5, you get 157 combat battalions in 180 military camps.
1 battalion – no less than 500 people. If we multiply the number of towns by the number of one battalion, we get 78,500 thousand people. Troops fighting the enemy need a rear. The auxiliary units include those who transport ammunition, replenish provisions, guard roads, military camps, treat the wounded, and so on. The ratio is approximately three to one, meaning another 235,500 thousand people were in Afghanistan per year. Adding the two numbers together we get 314,000 people.

According to this calculation by the authors of “Battles that Changed the Course of History: 1945-2004”, over 9 years and 64 days, a total of at least 3 million people took part in military operations in Afghanistan! Which seems like absolute fantasy. Approximately 800 thousand participated in active hostilities. The losses of the USSR were at least 460,000 people, of which 50,000 were killed, 180,000 were wounded, 100,000 were blown up by mines, about 1,000 people are listed as missing, more than 200,000 people were infected with serious diseases (jaundice, typhoid fever). These numbers show that the data in the newspapers is underestimated by a factor of 10.

It must be admitted that both the official data on losses and the figures given by individual researchers (probably biased) are unlikely to correspond to reality.

The introduction of units and units of the Soviet army and their participation in the civil war in Afghanistan between armed opposition groups and the government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA). Civil War began to unfold in Afghanistan as a consequence of the transformations carried out by the pro-communist government of the country, which came to power after the April Revolution of 1978. On December 12, 1979, the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee, guided by the article on mutual obligations to ensure the territorial integrity of the friendship treaty with the DRA, decided to send troops to Afghanistan . It was assumed that the troops of the 40th Army would provide protection to the country's most important strategic and industrial facilities.

Photographer A. Solomonov. Soviet armored vehicles and Afghan women with children on one of the mountain roads to Jalalabad. Afghanistan. June 12, 1988. RIA Novosti

Four divisions, five separate brigades, four separate regiments, four combat aviation regiments, three helicopter regiments, a pipeline brigade and separate units of the KGB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR were introduced into Afghanistan along with support and service units. Soviet troops guarded roads, gas fields, power plants, ensured the functioning of airfields, and transport of military and economic cargo. However, support for government troops in combat operations against armed opposition groups further aggravated the situation and led to an escalation of armed resistance to the ruling regime.

Photographer A. Solomonov. Soviet internationalist soldiers return to their homeland. Road through the Salang Pass, Afghanistan. May 16, 1988. RIA Novosti

The actions of a limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan can be divided into four main stages. At the 1st stage (December 1979 - February 1980), the deployment of troops, deployment to garrisons and organization of security of deployment points and various objects were carried out.

Photographer A. Solomonov. Soviet soldiers conduct engineering reconnaissance of roads. Afghanistan. 1980s RIA News

The 2nd stage (March 1980 - April 1985) was characterized by the conduct of active combat operations, including the implementation of large-scale operations using many types and branches of the armed forces together with government forces of the DRA. At the same time, work was carried out to reorganize, strengthen and supply the DRA armed forces with everything necessary.

Operator unknown. Afghan Mujahideen fire at a tank column of a limited contingent of Soviet troops from a mountain gun. Afghanistan. 1980s RGAKFD

At the 3rd stage (May 1985 - December 1986) there was a transition from active combat operations primarily to reconnaissance and fire support for the actions of government troops. Soviet motorized rifle, airborne and tank formations acted as a reserve and a kind of “support” for the combat stability of the DRA troops. A more active role was assigned to special forces units conducting special counterinsurgency combat operations. The provision of assistance in supplying the armed forces of the DRA and assistance to the civilian population did not stop.

Cameramen G. Gavrilov, S. Gusev. Cargo 200. Sealing a container with the body of a deceased Soviet soldier before being sent to his homeland. Afghanistan. 1980s RGAKFD

During the last, 4th, stage (January 1987 - February 15, 1989), the complete withdrawal of Soviet troops was carried out.

Cameramen V. Dobronitsky, I. Filatov. A column of Soviet armored vehicles moves through an Afghan village. Afghanistan. 1980s RGAKFD

In total, from December 25, 1979 to February 15, 1989, 620 thousand military personnel served as part of a limited contingent of DRA troops (in the Soviet army - 525.2 thousand conscripts and 62.9 thousand officers), in units of the KGB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR - 95 thousand people . At the same time, 21 thousand people worked as civilian employees in Afghanistan. During their stay in the DRA, the irretrievable human losses of the Soviet armed forces amounted to (together with border and internal troops) 15,051 people. 417 military personnel went missing and were captured, of which 130 returned to their homeland.

Cameraman R. Romm. Column of Soviet armored vehicles. Afghanistan. 1988. RGAKFD

Sanitary losses amounted to 469,685 people, including wounded, shell-shocked, injured - 53,753 people (11.44 percent); sick - 415,932 people (88.56 percent). Losses in weapons and military equipment amounted to: aircraft - 118; helicopters - 333; tanks - 147; BMP, BMD, armored personnel carrier - 1,314; guns and mortars - 433; radio stations, command and staff vehicles - 1,138; engineering vehicles - 510; flatbed vehicles and fuel tankers - 1,369.

Cameraman S. Ter-Avanesov. Paratroopers reconnaissance unit. Afghanistan. 1980s RGAKFD

During his stay in Afghanistan, the title of Hero Soviet Union was assigned to 86 military personnel. Over 100 thousand people were awarded orders and medals of the USSR.

Photographer A. Solomonov. A checkpoint of a limited contingent of Soviet troops protecting the Kabul airfield from Mujahideen attacks. Afghanistan. July 24, 1988. RIA Novosti

Cameramen G. Gavrilov, S. Gusev. Soviet helicopters in the air. In the foreground is a Mi-24 fire support helicopter, in the background is a Mi-6. Afghanistan. 1980s RGAKFD

Photographer A. Solomonov. Mi-24 fire support helicopters at Kabul airfield. Afghanistan. June 16, 1988. RIA Novosti

Photographer A. Solomonov. A checkpoint of a limited contingent of Soviet troops guarding a mountain road. Afghanistan. May 15, 1988. RIA Novosti

Cameramen V. Dobronitsky, I. Filatov. Meeting before a combat mission. Afghanistan. 1980s RGAKFD

Cameramen V. Dobronitsky, I. Filatov. Carrying shells to the firing position. Afghanistan. 1980s RGAKFD

Photographer A. Solomonov. Artillerymen of the 40th Army suppress enemy firing points in the Paghman area. Suburb of Kabul. Afghanistan. September 1, 1988. RIA Novosti

Cameramen A. Zaitsev, S. Ulyanov. Withdrawal of a limited contingent of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. A column of Soviet armored vehicles passes along the bridge over the river. Panj. Tajikistan. 1988. RGAKFD

Cameraman R. Romm. Military parade of Soviet units on the occasion of their return from Afghanistan. Afghanistan. 1988. RGAKFD

Cameramen E. Akkuratov, M. Levenberg, A. Lomtev, I. Filatov. Withdrawal of a limited contingent of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Commander of the 40th Army, Lieutenant General B.V. Gromov with the last armored personnel carrier on the bridge over the river. Panj. Tajikistan. February 15, 1989. RGAKFD

Cameramen A. Zaitsev, S. Ulyanov. Soviet border guards at a border pillar on the border of the USSR and Afghanistan. Termez. Uzbekistan. 1988. RGAKFD

Photos are borrowed from the publication: Military Chronicle of Russia in Photographs. 1850s - 2000s: Album. - M.: Golden-Bi, 2009.

Source: The classification has been removed. Losses of the armed forces of the USSR in wars, combat operations and military conflicts: Stat. research / Ed. Ph.D. Colonel General G. F. Krivoshein \M.: Voenizdat, 1993

Number of troop personnel and their losses
The length of stay of military personnel as part of the limited contingent of Soviet troops (LCSV) in Afghanistan was set at no more than 2 years ≈ for officers and 1.5 years for sergeants and soldiers.
Total for the period from December 25, 1979 to February 15, 1989 years passed in the troops stationed on the territory of the DRA military service 620,000 people.
of them:
in units of the Soviet Army 525,000 people.
SA workers and employees 21000 people.
in border and other units of the KGB of the USSR 90,000 people.
in the formations of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs 5000 people.

Annual list of SA troops amounted to 80 - 104 thousand military personnel And 5-7 thousand workers and employees.

Total irretrievable loss of life(killed, died from wounds and illnesses, died in disasters, as a result of incidents and accidents) 14453 people.
Including:
Soviet army 13833 people.
KGB 572 people.
Ministry of Internal Affairs 28 people.
Goskino, Gosteleradio, Ministry of Construction, etc. 20 people.

Among the dead and dead:
military advisors (all ranks) 190 people.
generals 4 people.
officers 2129 people.
warrant officers 632 people.
soldiers and sergeants 11549 people.
SA workers and employees 139 people.

Missing and captured: 417 people.
The following were released: 119 people.
Of them:
returned to their homeland 97 people.
are in other countries 22 people.

Sanitary losses made up 469685 people.
Including:
wounded, shell-shocked, injured 53753 people.
got sick 415932 people.

Among them:
officers and warrant officers 10287 people.
sergeants and soldiers 447498 people.
workers and employees 11905 people.

From 11654 people., discharged from the army due to wounds, injuries and serious illnesses and became disabled: 10751 people.

Including:
first group 672 people.
second group 4216 people.
third group 5863 people.

Losses of equipment and weapons amounted to:
aircraft 118
helicopters 333
tanks 147
BMP, BMD, armored personnel carrier 1314
guns and mortars 433
radio stations and command and staff vehicles 1138
engineering machines 510
flatbed vehicles and fuel tankers 11369

Brief information about the awardees and national composition dead
Source: Lyakhovsky A.A., Zabrodin V.M. Secrets of the Afghan war. M.: Planet, 1991.

Awarded medals and orders of the USSR 200153 people, of them 10955 people ≈ posthumous.

The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded 71 people, of them 25 ≈ posthumous.

Among the awarded ≈ 110 thousand soldiers and sergeants,
near 20 thousand warrant officers,
more 65 thousand officers and generals,
more 2.5 thousand SA employees, including ≈ 1350 women

During the 110 months of war in Afghanistan, people died:
Russians - 6888 people.
Ukrainians - 2376 people.
Belarusians - 613 people.
Uzbeks - 1066 people.
Kazakhs - 362 people.
Turkmens - 263 people.
Tajiks - 236 people.
Kyrgyz - 102 people.
Georgians - 81 people.
Azerbaijanis - 195 people.
Armenians - 95 people.
Moldovans - 194 people.
Lithuanians - 57 people.
Latvians - 23 people.
Estonians - 15 people.
Abkhazians - 6 people.
Balkars - 9 people.
Bashkirs - 98 people.
Buryats - 4 people.
Jews - 7 people.
Ingush - 12 people.
Kabardians - 25 people.
Kalmyks - 22 people.
Karakalpaks - 5 people.
Karelians - 6 people.
Komi - 16 people.
Mari - 49 people.
Mordva - 66 people.
Nationalities of Dagestan - 101 people.
Ossetians - 30 people.
Tatars - 442 people.
Tuvans - 4 people.
Udmurts - 22 people.
Chechens - 35 people.
Chuvash - 125 people.
Yakuts - 1 person.
Other peoples and nationalities - 168 people.

Irreversible losses of the Soviet Union in Afghan war. Data from the General Staff of the USSR Ministry of Defense

Total losses by year:
1979 - 86 people.
1980 - 1484 people.
1981 - 1298 people.
1982 - 1948 people.
1983 - 1446 people.
1984 - 2346 people.
1985 - 1868 people.
1986 - 1333 people.
1987 - 1215 people.
1988 - 759 people.
1989 - 53 people.

Total deaths: 14,453.

In battle: 9511.
Died from wounds: 2386.
Died from disease: 817.
Died in accidents, disasters, accidents, committed suicide: 739.

By rank:
Generals, officers: 2129.
Ensigns: 632.
Sergeants and soldiers: 11,549.
Workers and employees: 139.

Missing and captured: 417.
Were released: 119.
Returned home: 97.
Live in other countries: 22.

Total sanitary losses in Afghanistan: 469,685.

Wounded, shell-shocked, injured: 53,753.
Cases: 415,392.

Returned to service: 455,071.
Dismissed for health reasons: 11,654.
Died (included in permanent losses): 2960.

Of the 11,654 dismissed due to health reasons.

Became disabled: 10,751.
1 group: 672.
2 groups: 4216.
3 groups: 5863.

Equipment losses:
Aircraft: 118.
Helicopters: 333.
Tanks: 147.
BMP, armored personnel carrier, BRDM: 1314.
Guns, mortars: 433.
Radio stations, command and staff vehicles: 1138.
Engineering vehicles: 510.
Flatbed vehicles, fuel tankers: 11,369.

Losses of the local population 1 million 240 thousand people. (9 percent of the country's population).

For reference:
Total permanent casualties during the Vietnam War: 57,605
Injured: 300,000
Cost of the Vietnam War: $165 billion.

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