This article will feature the majority of the main divisions, brigades, separate regiments and other units, who participated in Soviet-Afghan war from the Soviet side. The complete list of units and subunits is almost infinitely long and consists of such obscure and uninteresting elements as Anti-Plague medical unit and Military Bread-baking factories. Here we are going to list all battle units as well as the majority of the support units.
It is important to remember, that while 40th Army was under direct command of the Ministry of Defense, some sub-units temporary attached to it were from different establishments. These would usually be the KGB and rarely the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Brief history of the Soviet 40th Army
The Soviet 40th Army, also known as the 40th Army of the Order of the Red Star, was a field army of the Soviet Union that was active during the Cold War by invading Afghanistan. Here's a brief history of the Soviet 40th Army:
Formation: The Soviet 40th Army was formed on 18 July 1941, during World War II, as part of the Southern Front to counter the German advance towards the Caucasus oil fields. It consisted of three rifle corps and a tank corps, and was initially commanded by Major General Grigory S. Krylov.
World War II: The 40th Army saw action in several major battles during World War II, including the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of Kursk, and the Battle of the Caucasus. The army played a crucial role in the defense of Stalingrad and was instrumental in the Soviet victory in the battle. It also helped liberate several other cities in the Caucasus region.
Post-World War II: After the end of World War II, the 40th Army was stationed in the Transcaucasian Military District and played a role in suppressing the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. In the 1960s and 1970s, the army was involved in several military exercises and operations in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
Afghanistan War: The 40th Army played a significant role in the Soviet war in Afghanistan (1979-1989), where it was deployed to support the pro-Soviet government in Kabul. The army was involved in several major battles, including the Battle of Jalalabad and the Battle of Khost.
Disbandment: The 40th Army was disbanded on 1 December 1990, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Some of its units were absorbed by the newly-formed post-Soviet republics, while others were disbanded.
Overall, the Soviet 40th Army had a long and storied history, having played a significant role in several major military conflicts. Its legacy continues to be felt in the countries where it operated, including Afghanistan and the former Soviet republics in Central Asia.
Units of the Ground Troops of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR
5th Guards Motorized Rifle Division
-101st Motorized Rifle regiment
-12th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment
-371st Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment
-373rd Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment (reorganized in March 1980 into the 70th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade)
-24th Guards Tank Regiment
-1060th Artillery Regiment
-1008th anti-aircraft artillery regiment
-1122nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment
108th Motorized Rifle Division
-177th Motorized Rifle Regiment
-180th Motorized Rifle Regiment
-181st Motorized Rifle Regiment
-186th Motorized Rifle Regiment (reorganized in March 1980 into the 66th Motor Rifle Brigade)
-234th Tank Regiment
-285th Tank Regiment
-682nd Motorized Rifle Regiment
-1074th Artillery Regiment
-1049th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
-1415th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment
201st Motor Rifle Division
-122nd Motorized Rifle Regiment
-149th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment
-191st Motorized Rifle Regiment
-395th Motorized Rifle Regiment
-998th Artillery Regiment
-990th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
66th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade
70th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade
860th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment
28th Artillery Regiment (until 04/01/86 - 28th Reactive Artillery Regiment)
2nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade
353rd Guards Artillery Brigade
Airborne
103rd Guards Airborne Division
-317th Guards Airborne Regiment
-350th Guards Airborne Regiment
-357th Guards Airborne Regiment
-1179th Guards Artillery Red Banner Regiment
56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade
Spetsnaz GRU
15th Separate Special Purpose Brigade
22nd Separate Special Purpose Brigade
668 Separate Special Purpose Unit
334 Separate Special Purpose Unit
370 Separate Special Purpose Unit
186 Separate Special Purpose Unit
411 Separate Special Purpose Unit
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