<P> The Soviet -- Afghan War lasted over nine years , from December 1979 to February 1989 . Insurgent groups known as the mujahideen fought against the Soviet Army and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan government , mostly in the country 's rural countryside . The mujahideen groups were backed by the United States and Pakistan , making it a Cold War proxy war . Between 562,000 and 2,000,000 civilians were killed and millions of Afghans fled the country as refugees , mostly to Pakistan and Iran . </P>
<P> The Soviet -- Afghan War lasted over nine years , from December 1979 to February 1989 . Insurgent groups known as the mujahideen fought against the Soviet Army and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan government , mostly in the country 's rural countryside . The mujahideen groups were backed by the United States and Pakistan , making it a Cold War proxy war . Between 562,000 and 2,000,000 civilians were killed and millions of Afghans fled the country as refugees , mostly to Pakistan and Iran . </P>
how long was the russian war in afghanistan
how long was the russian war in afghanistan
over nine years
over nine years