Russian-Soviet Unconventional Wars in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Afghanistan by Dr. Robert F. Baumann 4FOREWORD In rent years, the US. Army has gad increasing stenton tose conduct of uncontentansl warfare. However, th bate of Wars inthe Caucasus Cetra! Asia. and Aigansta, Or. Raber! F Baumann mates» SQniican cotton tothe expansion of {hat bare with # wellrosearched analyse of fur impartont episodes (rom the Russian Soviet experience wih unconventional wars Primary amploving Russian sources, including impocent archival documents only recent deeaesied and made 2 Wiestern senlara, Dr Baumann proves on insightful lok at the Rusian conquest of the Cauca subjugstion of Cone Asia (1839.-81), the reconquest of Central Asia by the Red Army (1918-33) andthe Soviet wat in ‘Aighanstan 1279-89, Tha history of hese wars—eapeciliy a ralstest0 the Bote tact force stl, and ste employed In ther-ollers imprtant new perspectives on elements of continuity and change in combat over Wo centuries, Ths i the fat ‘u0y to onde an indepth examination of he evolution af the Russian and Soviet uneonventnelexpetiehze onthe predominanty ‘Moshi southern periphery ofthe former npr. Thare, the Russians encountered free reatance by peeps whose cultures 8d ‘ws of ar tare sharply Hom ther own. Congequenty he Lesvenworh Paper adresse not ony leuer germane fo sorbet birt 8 wide spectrum of eve and popopande operations wel In particular, hee ease ilunrate the problems commonly confronted by contemlonal mitay powers when fighting unconven tional foes in undeveloped theatre. Such poblms inde at ony adamant tothe Taces ofan untamiar enemy but the apation of one's own tacos and equpmant to constants Imposed on them by tetain.ehmat, and dtanue. PORES and conomie consiertons ase ployed » canta roe and contrite Yo portant ae in Russian and Soviet step designe. Thus ‘commanthesd runnag thaugh eoch of there studies ie th challenge armies face In corcepuaizing and implementing changes Siter combat operation: have begun Fly, Or. Sumann considers brand pattems of conduct apparent i these wars and even compares them withthe Amari experince in smiar cont, Tvs dy wil be of broad interest to Miary polsonale an Rstoriane ake, Chaft ben. ‘on 1998, RICHARD M. SWAN COL Renard mM. Swain Cortinaing netrctr/Execuve Oteet Te Renard v. aout, Crit Te michael J Siversone MAJ Rober E. Connor MAY George J. Moria Br George W. Gaveyen De Samuel J Lowe ‘Dr, Manse! 0. Pearman LTC Richard Kiger, Cit LIC Donals 8 Cornet. Willa G. Roberton. Chit LIC Pap J. Bator J rc Andrew W. Mois MAJ Sipten 0. Conte MA) Willam M. Campeey MAJ Seat R Mellcen MAJ Kenneth R. Dombross De Rober F Baumann Back Gill De Christopher Gabe De Garys Borge 1 Thomas M. Huber De setld €. Brown LC Rebert ©. Ramsey i, Chet Maryn & wards Eator SSG Samuel L Brown SGT Dwayne L Sores Leavenworth Papers ae published bythe Combat Studs Ineiut, US. Army Command and General Staff Calla, Fort Labvenwerth KS 66027-6900. ne wwe expressed io ths pubcsen are those of the author and not ncestaiy those of the Department of Defenae ov any element tare, Lanvenworh Popes are vate om ine Superntndert of Documents, US. Government Pring (thea, Wathngton, OC 20402 Cover: Commander Ahmad Shan Masoud, shown inspecting captured Russian AKS-74 with an underburet €0-em BG-18 grenadeLeavenworth, Papers — rumer 20 Russian-Soviet Unconventional Wars in the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Afghanistan by Dr. Robert F. Baumann Printed courtesy of the U.S. Army Center of Military History, Washington, D.C. Combat Studies Institute U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 66027-6900