“Extremely cheeky, cynical and low statement”
It is not correct to compare the losses of the Americans in Afghanistan in 2001-2021 and the Soviet Union in 1979-1989, because the conditions in which Soviet and American troops fought, fundamentally different. This is the opinion of Semyon Bagdasarov, a well-known expert on the Middle East.
Photo: Photos from the video
Earlier, TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak drew attention to the fact that the US losses in Afghanistan in 20 years amounted to 2,500 people, while the USSR lost about 15,000 soldiers killed in ten years. Bagdasarov, director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East and Central Asia, whose commentary was published on the telegram channel Zakhar Prilepin, called such comparisons “extremely arrogant, cynical, deceptive and low.” The expert accused Sobchak of incompetence.
According to him, the Soviet military contingent actively fought for the destruction of armed formations of more than 250 thousand people. These groups were helped by “the United States, its NATO allies, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and a number of nations.”
“The United States alone sent about $ 700 million in the mid-1980s.” Saudi Arabia has provided similar assistance, and other countries have also provided huge financial assistance. The comparison with losses is therefore idiotic, unprofessional and anti-state, “concluded Bagdasarov.
According to him, in Afghanistan only the Taliban movement (recognized as terrorist and banned in the Russian Federation – “MK”) fought against the United States, the number of which did not exceed 60-70 thousand people. At the same time, the Taliban controlled over 60-70% of the country's territory, including a large number of administrative centers, where it created alternative leadership in the form of “shadow governors.”
“No country in the world has helped the Taliban.” No financial, military or assistance was provided! “, – noted the expert.
According to him, “it is ridiculous to even compare the weapons of the Taliban and the weapons of the Mujahideen” (1979-1989 – “MK”).
“The Taliban were armed only with Chinese Kalashnikov AK-47, RPG-7 and IED (improvised explosive devices) assault rifles.” All this cannot be compared to the weapons supplied by Sobchak's friends from the West in the form of artillery systems, mortars, etc., “noted the political scientist.
In addition, he said, “Since 2011,” Americans have not fought large-scale hostilities, the last of which was Operation Moshtarak, which took control of the administrative center of Helmand province, Lashkar Gah and some other settlements. “
“After the Americans and their allies suffered serious losses and all active hostilities ceased. The Americans carried out only air strikes against the Taliban and participated in special operations. That's it, there was nothing else! “- the expert emphasized.
He accused Sobchak of being” tactfully “silent about the losses of private military companies (PMCs), which were actively exploited by the United States and coalition countries in Afghanistan. The casualties of the armies of countries other than the United States exceeded 1,000.