Russia Marks 25th Anniversary of Afghanistan Pullout(Feb 15,1989 -Feb 15,2014)

Russia remembered the 25th anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan with low-key ceremonies as the country tries to forget its failed military adventure.

On February 15th 1989, the last Soviet army column crossed from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan ending nine years of massive military involvement that failed to contain the Islamist insurgency in the strategically situated Central Asian state. 

Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu set the tone for numerous memorial meetings across the country by praising Afghan veterans as “true patriots,” but refusing to pass a judgement on the war, which he said is remembered with “mixed” feelings. 

More than 14,000 Soviet soldiers died and about 50,000 were wounded in Afghanistan. 

A recent poll conducted by the independent Levada centre found that 68 % of Russians do not think the Soviet Union should have got militarily involved in Afghanistan, while 44 % think it was a criminal venture.