ZIPRA was responsible for two attacks on civilian Air Rhodesia Viscount aeroplanes , on 3 September 1978 and 12 February 1979 . Using SA-7 surface-to-air missiles , the guerrillas shot down each plane during its ascent from Kariba Airport . ZIPRA took advice from its Soviet instructors in formulating its vision and strategy of popular revolution . About 1,400 Soviets , 700 East German and 500 Cuban instructors were deployed to the area
on 3 September 1978
Air Rhodesia Flight 825
Rhodesian Bush War