The Soviet version of Vietnam had a lot more tanks and rocket launchers.
The Soviet-Afghan conflict began when the Soviet Union invaded the country in 1979 in order to prop up a Communist government. The Afghanis staged a fierce guerilla resistance, with financial backing from the U.S. and Pakistan. They fought the Red Army in the desert, in the mountains and on their own city streets. The Soviets withdrew after ten long years, and the Afghans were victorious.
Check out some photos of the underdogs defeating Mother Russia.
1
A low-flying Afghan helicopter gunship in a snow-capped valley along Salang
January 30, 1989
2
A mujahideen fighter shows off his RPGs
Jalalabad, Afghanistan, 1989
3
A boy soldier in the mujahideen with his arms full of explosives
Kabul, Afghanistan, 1992
4
A column of Soviet armor and military trucks moves up the highway toward the Soviet border
February 7, 1989
5
Muslim anti-aircraft gunners in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia Province
July 20, 1986
6
A Russian T-62 Commando tank destroyed in the Panjshir River Valley in Parwan Valley
February 25, 1981
7
After the Soviet withdrawal
August 30, 1989
8
Aftermath in a village located along the Salang Highway, shelled and destroyed during fights between Mujahideen guerrillas and Afghan soldiers
Salang, Afghanistan
9
An Afghan guerrilla handles a U.S.-made Stinger anti-aircraft missile
November 1987
10
Afghan guerrillas atop a downed Soviet Mi-8 transport helicopter, near the Salang Highway, a vital supply route north from Kabul to the Soviet border
January 12, 1981
11
A Soviet soldier smokes a cigarette at a checkpoint of the Soviet military airport in Kabul
February 10, 1989
12
Afghans wait outside the Kabul central Pulicharkhi prison days after the Moscow-installed regime of Babrak Karmal took over
January 14, 1980
13
A Soviet-style military parade, held on the occasion of 5th anniversary of Afghanistan's 1978 Saur Revolution In the streets of Kabul
April 27, 1983
14
Soviet soldiers observe the highlands
April, 1988
15
A guerilla soldier points a stinger rocket launcher at a passing aircraft
Safed Koh Mountains, Afghanistan, 1988
16
A troop of Muslim rebels equipped with old-fashioned rifles, east of Kabul
February 21, 1980
17
Soviet troops on the move in
Afghanistan, mid-1980s
18
Soviet soldiers prepare to change their position while fighting Islamic guerrillas
April, 1980
19
A mujahideen, a captain in the Afghan army before deserting, poses with a group of rebels near Herat, Afghanistan
February 28, 1980
20
Soviet soldiers direct tank traffic outside Kabul
January 7, 1980
21
Soviet soldiers stand by armored vehicles.
Afghanistan, 1986
22
Afghan guerrillas, armed and equipped with motorcycles prepare for action with Soviet and government forces
January, 1980
23
Three Muslim rebels, one armed with a Soviet-made AK-47 assault rifle, left, the others with older bolt-action rifles, pose on horseback during a rebel meeting at village near Herat
February 15, 1980
24
The Soviet Union withdraws
Soviet-Afghan border, 1989
