The Soviet war in Afghanistan.

Kabul, Afghanistan, 27 December 1979.

Soviet paratroopers of the 105th Guards Airborne Division and KGB spetnaz troops attack Darulaman Palace, kill president Hafizullah Amin and take control of the government.
Four Soviet motorized rifle divisions (66, 201, 357 and 360) cross the Amu Darya River and enter Afghanistan.

This is the beginning of a decade of fighting.

The course of the war;

1978;
Afghan Communist seize power in april.
Moslem leaders declare Jihad (holy war).
Resistance throughout the country.

1979;
Resistance pressure on Afghan government increases.
In december the Soviets intervene by capturing Kabul in an airborne assault.

1980;
Soviets crush Afghan army uprising and commit air-ground offensivesto clear the Resistance from strategic positions.

1981;
Soviets start widescale air assault and spetsnaz operations.
Primarely small unit counter-geurilla operations.

1982;
Communist start systematic depopulation of the countryside.
Soviet use of massive air power and artillery against resistance held cities and towns and chemical warfare use against infiltration routes.
Soviets launch division sized sweeps to clear critical area's.

1983;
Soviets strengthen their forces in Afghanistan.
Soviet use of airwar approach with interdiction and air assaults against Resistance.
Training of Resistance fighters improve.

1984;
Soviets launch nationwide offensive.
Division sized units in action at Herat an Pansjher Valley.
Resistance is pushed back but Soviets do not hold ground once taken.

1985;
More offensive actions from Resistance.
Soviets repeat nationwide offensive.
Main target is Resistance lines of communication.

1986;
Resistance attacks towns and cities.
Communist strike back.
Soviet use of masses of firepower.
Resistance get improved weapons which take their toll of Soviet aircraft.

1987;
Afghan government announces ceasefire.
Soviets starts pulling back out of isolated bases.
City security strengthened.
Soviets attempt to keep Resistance off balance by limited airstrikes.

1988;
Resistance advance to major cities.
Government outposts are being overrun.
Soviets counterattacks to retake lost cities.
Soviet airstikes continue to disrupt Resistance attacks.
Soviets starts withdrawal.

1989;
Soviets withdraw.
Resistance advance to Kabul and other major cities.

1990;
Communist repel Resistance attacks on major cities.
Resistance divided.

1991;
Soviet Union and United States agree to halt military assistance to Afghanistan by 1 january 1992.

I love 2 films of that war:

Beast of war (La bestis de la guerra), about a soviet tank lost in there

9th company (Rota 9). I could find it only in subttitles in Spanish. But I can imagine it´s in English aswell.

Best

seen that one a couple of weeks ago, wicked movie, definitely one to watch!