OKSVA: 40TH ARMY
The Red Army’s occupying force in Afghanistan was specially reformed for the Soviet-afghan War after previously seeing extensive service during WWII
The Soviet 40th Army existed in two very distinct phases during its 20th century history. It was first formed in 1941 after the German invasion of Russia during Operation Barbarossa and almost immediately suffered heavy casualties at the Battle of Kiev. It continued to fight on the Eastern Front in engagements such as Operation Blau and the battles of Kursk and Dnieper. By the end of WWII, the army was in Czechoslovakia participating in the Prague Offensive before it was disbanded in July 1945.
40th Army was reformed in December 1979 and became the core of the Soviet occupation force in Afghanistan, which was abbreviated to OKSVA. Primarily consisting of motor rifle and airborne divisions, 40th Army was largely supplied in Afghanistan through the Salang Pass, which transported hundreds of logistics vehicles from the USSR.
During the ten-year period of its second formation, 40th Army was commanded by seven different lieutenant generals – none of whom were able to tip the war in the Soviet Union’s favour. Its last commander, Boris Gromov, was awarded the USSR’S highest decoration – the Hero of the Soviet Union – after the temporary success of Operation Magistral. However, Gromov was also the last Soviet soldier to leave Afghanistan on 15 February 1989 across the Friendship Bridge on the Afghan-uzbek border. 40th Army was disbanded again shortly afterwards in 1990.