The Soviet-Afghan War began in December 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

The invasion was launched to support the struggling communist government in Afghanistan, which was facing a widespread rebellion by Islamist fighters.

The Afghan resistance fighters became known as the Mujahideen.

The conflict became the Soviet Union's equivalent of the Vietnam War for the United States—a long, costly, and unwinnable quagmire.

The Mujahideen waged an effective guerrilla war against the technologically superior Soviet army, using the country's mountainous terrain to their advantage.

The United States, through the CIA, provided covert support to the Mujahideen, including weapons and funding.

The most significant U.S. weapon provided was the Stinger anti-aircraft missile, which allowed the Mujahideen to shoot down Soviet helicopters and aircraft.

The war had a devastating impact on Afghanistan, killing over a million Afghans and creating millions of refugees.

The high cost and casualties of the war were a major factor in the decline and eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

After the Soviet withdrawal, the country descended into civil war, which eventually led to the rise of the Taliban.