Soviet–Afghan War

1979–1989 Central Asia Status: ended Casualties: ~2 million

The USSR's 'Vietnam.' CIA's Operation Cyclone armed the Mujahideen with Stingers. Soviet withdrawal in 1989 after 14,453 Soviet dead. Contributed to the USSR's collapse. Set the conditions for the Taliban's rise.

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Belligerents

USSR / Afghan DRA
Mujahideen (US/Saudi/Pakistan-backed)

Casualties

~2 million

From World at War, an interactive atlas by Jairus Pereira. Figures are approximate, drawn from Wikipedia, UCDP, ACLED and academic sources — a design artefact, not an authoritative register. Contact.