Question; Soviet ROEs in Afghanistan

[Chops]

Gents,

Can anybody shed any light on whether Soviet ground forces in Afghanistan operated under any sort of formal Yellow Card or similar ROEs apart from deconfliction efforts?

Many thx.

[Scotus]

My understanding is yes there was, but my recollection of it (from a conversation in Moscow years ago) is far from precise. Too bad 16 OBr SpN is not here. However, each soldier in the 40th Army or other servicemen were given pamphlets and orders on entering theatre to not abuse the civilian population as they were "guests" in the country upholding an "internationalist mission" - that mission being to maintain the DRA. I have personally seen one of these and from what I remember, there is a specific series of further instructions and actions-on relating to interations with the civilian population, prohibiting abuses and touching on "hearts and minds" type ideas.

Perhaps someone has this scanned?

I hope this is a start.

[csqnsas]

the same as the USA in vietnam

[Chops]

It would be appreciated if smart arse comments could be left out of this thread. Thx for your contribution.

[oldsoak]

I think we have to credit the USSR with some political sophistication - they were aware of the political minefield they had entered into and had no wish to create work for themselves - especially as they would have to do a lot of the fighting in support of the DRA until it was strong enough to carry on. Scotus' recollection would fit in with that.

[Dave-Sappy]

Not sure if this will be any help to you, but I saw a film the other night called '9th Company', about USSR soldiers in Afghanistan. Although films arent exactly known for their true representation of the truth, it was a pretty well put together film and showed the soldiers receiving a lecture about how to conduct themselves.

Definately a film worth seeing anyway!