Twenty-five years ago, on May 15, 1988, the Soviet Union started withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan. Under the April 1988 Geneva agreements on attaining a political settlement on Afghanistan, the Soviet Union pledged to withdraw its military contingent over a period of nine months, that is, by February 15, 1989.
Twenty-five years ago, on May 15, 1988, the Soviet Union started withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan. Under the April 1988 Geneva agreements on attaining a political settlement on Afghanistan, the Soviet Union pledged to withdraw its military contingent over a period of nine months, that is, by February 15, 1989. Soviet troop convoys crossed the “Friendship Bridge,” the only bridge on the state border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, near the town of Termez.
In the first three months of the withdrawal, 50,183 officers and soldiers left Afghanistan. An additional 50,100 returned to the USSR between August 15, 1988, and February 15, 1989.
Soviet soldiers returning from Afghanistan were welcomed near Termez in the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.
Termez, located in the southernmost part of Uzbekistan, borders on Afghanistan.
According to updated Afghan war casualty statistics, the Soviet Army had a total of 14,427 killed and missing in action. The Soviet State Security Committee (KGB) and Interior Ministry had, respectively, 576 and 28 officers killed and missing in action. Over 53,000 officers and soldiers were wounded or sustained concussions and other injuries.
Soviet soldiers returning from Afghanistan were welcomed near Termez in the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.
Soviet soldiers parade before returning home.
Soviet soldiers return from Afghanistan.
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Afghans were killed and reported missing during the deployment of the 40th Soviet Army in the country. Photo: Afghans say goodbye to Soviet soldiers.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled estimates that there are over 800,000 disabled persons in the country, 41% of them women and 59% men. Most of them are war victims. Photo: Afghans say goodbye to Soviet soldiers.
Officially, the Soviet war in Afghanistan lasted from December 25, 1979, until February 15, 1989, or 3,285 days. Photo: Soviet forces withdraw from Afghanistan.
Welcoming ceremony for Soviet soldiers returning from Afghanistan.
A Guards tank regiment prepares to return to the USSR during the withdrawal of the Soviet military contingent from Afghanistan.
A unit from the Soviet military contingent withdraws from Kandahar (August 10-11, 1988).
Units of the Soviet military contingent withdraw from Afghanistan.
In 2012, the government of Afghanistan proclaimed February 15 – the day of the final Soviet troop pull-out – the day of the defeat of the Soviet Army and a bank holiday.
