I don't want to look for a long time. Mikhail Krug - song lyrics about Afghanistan

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But I really don’t want to look at this alien horizon for a long time...

The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan began on May 15, 1988 in accordance with the Geneva Agreements on the political regulation of the situation around Afghanistan concluded on April 14, 1988. The last echelon of Soviet troops left this country on February 15, 1988. We asked Viktor Lenkov, a Trans-Baikal resident who went through Afghanistan, to talk about this terrible war.

"Hot spot" on the map

- Viktor Viktorovich, tell us a little about yourself and how you got to Afghanistan.

- I was born near Chita in the village of Kolochnoe in 1966. In April 1985, I was drafted into the army. By decision of the selection committee, he was declared fit for service and sent to a collection point in Chita. The next day, a buyer from “Uncle Vasya” (airborne troops) arrived and took me and 70 other people to Tashkent in the city of Chirchik. There we completed a 3-month training course, after which we were selected and sent, so to speak, to fulfill our international duty in Afghanistan. As you already understand, this decision was not a voluntary one, but the orders of the father-commanders are not discussed.

- In Afghanistan, what tasks were assigned to your unit, if this, of course, is not a military secret?

Initially, we flew to Kabul, from where we were distributed in parts. I ended up in the Lagar province, between the cities of Gardez and Afghanistan. That's where our unit stood. Well, as a part. .. It was just a tent city and a battalion of the Airborne Assault Brigade (airborne assault brigade) stood nearby. Before us, soldiers from Kirovograd lived there. It turns out that we flew in to replace them, they had to leave, and we came to take their place. That’s where I served, for two years. As for the tasks, this is not a secret. We had to go to caravans, ambushes and gangs. Destroy enemy personnel, confiscate weapons. Let's consider this intelligence.

- Okay, you were probably taught all this well in three months?

Certainly. I remember the training for the course of a young fighter, in which we jumped, galloped, ran and climbed mountains. We also went to the sports town. There was also a theory. In addition to teaching us combat tactics, our fathers-commanders constantly repeated to us that we should not go anywhere without first checking and turn off the feeling of fear. It is most important.

- Let's imagine that this war would not have happened at all. What would change? Did we need it?

I do not even know. On the one hand, we personally did not need this war. But we did not go there on our own whim, but responded to the help of the President of Afghanistan, who asked for support from the Soviet Union. I think it was not in vain that we were there. Sometimes I turn on the news and see that the same Afghans, I mean the civilian population, say that it would be better if the Soviet troops stood there than the American ones.

- When did you demobilize?

Because when, at the end of its service life. In May 1987. I was not seriously injured, so I left Afghanistan right on time.

- Have you suffered from the “Afghan syndrome”?

No, but there were still minor ailments. I didn’t sleep well at night, sometimes I was afraid, especially when there was a knock or rattle somewhere. At first, he even squatted down and mentally looked for shelter. It was scary even to look at the high-rise buildings. There are solid villages, but here there is civilization. Different countries, in general.

In civilian life

The end of the 80s marked the fall of the political system and the collapse of the country. Crisis, devastation, rampant banditry, but how did your homeland greet you? Was it hard?

Fine. I came back from the army and immediately went to my village, but not for long. After some time, I told everyone that I was moving to the city. The chairman offered to stay and promised a small cottage and a job. That’s how I graduated from college, and by profession I am a general-purpose tractor driver. So he promised me a new tractor. But I said no, I’ll go to the city and get a job in the police.

- Oh, so you are a policeman?

Well, yes. In May 1987, I came out of the army and already in April of the same year I got a job in the police department. I worked in the patrol service for some time, now I also serve in the police, but in a separate battalion for guarding and escorting suspects and accused of the city Department of Internal Affairs.

- As for your comrades in arms, do you communicate with them?

I'm communicating. Some of them live outside of Transbaikalia, but most are local. True, now there are not enough of them left, several people have already died, some after being wounded, some who developed blood poisoning... just some mosquito bitten and that’s all. And so we constantly meet with those who are still alive, we celebrate three memorable dates for us - February 15, September 24 and August 2. Well, we’ll meet again on May 9th.

A story not to be forgotten

If we talk about the current situation in the world and the war in Syria, many believe that it could become a second Afghanistan for Russia. What do you think about it?

Yes, many people now draw such parallels. And, in my opinion, not without reason. That we had a guerrilla war, that there is a partisan war going on there. Basically, all the action takes place in the mountains, in places where terrorists are hiding. The war is the same as ours. Only in Afghanistan there were fewer bombs. So I think the Afghan war was calmer than the Syrian one. But will Syria become a second Afghanistan for our country? I hope no. Now there are different ways of waging war, although, of course, as I already said, the generalities can be traced.

Modern young people know practically nothing about this war. Do you think this topic should be raised or should it be left in the past?

Every year on February 23, we conduct lessons on courage in schools and institutes. We talk about the war. The guys ask, we answer. How and where is the best way to serve? Do young people even want to join the army? Some, of course, with great desire go to fulfill their civic duty. Some people exclaim that we don’t need the service, we’d rather “get over it.”

- And the last question, Victor, what do you wish for modern soldiers?

I wish them good service. So that they don’t go anywhere, take care of their heads, look after their weapons, don’t reload them again, and unquestioningly follow safety precautions. Good luck to them! Let them serve as we served.

About Afghanistan

And I don’t want to look for too long
To this alien horizon...
The scorching sun set behind the mosque,
Kobzon left for Russia.

He sang Vysotsky to us and corrected
Your sweat-drenched wig,
And we sang along... When you fell
From the rocks - I cried, old man.

How rare are such hours?
When a bullet doesn't hit a song,
But the wounds will not have time to cool for them -
And in the evening we go hiking again.

And after the fight I cried, I couldn’t,
And my hands were shaking to light a cigarette...
I saw how (Vitskin) was in a zinc coffin
The remains were carried to be buried...

And there the grass is crushed at the fork
And in it is an anthill-cartridge...
Kolyukha-countryman, wild head,
Dushmanov sculpted like a raven,

But a stupid bullet pierced my temple, -
And Kolka nodded his head...
But the mother asked: Nikolka, son!
Tell me you'll come back alive!..

Good news in Afghanistan today:
The order has been issued - home soon!
But the heart will remain mentally here,
And there is no joy that he is alive.

I will come to Tver from the Afghan fields, -
Here at home it's warm and light...
And as soon as I open the familiar door -
I'll say: Mom, you're lucky...

Translation of the lyrics by Mikhail Krug - About Afghanistan

And I don't want a long look
On this strange horizon...
Scorching sun set behind the mosque
In Russia left Kobzon .

He sang to us Vysotsky and corrected
Then used his wig,
And we sang...When you fall
From the rocks - I cried, man.

How rarely such a watch,
When the bullet does not hit song,
The wounds do not have time for them to cool -
And again in the evening for a hike.

And I began to cry after the fight, I could not,
And hands were shaking a light...
I saw Vitskina ( ) in a zinc coffin
Carried bury the remains...

And there at the fork trodden grass
And it - Insert the anthill...
Kolyuha - countryman, lush head,
Dushmans sculpted like a raven

But stupid bullet pierced his temple -
And nodded Kolka...
A mother requested because: Nikolka , son!
Say that you come back alive! ..

In Afghanistan today, the good news:
Order came - home soon!
But my heart will remain mentally here
And pleasure is not that lively.

I come from Tver in Afghan fields -
Here at home, warm and light...
And only the familiar door open -
I say: Mom, you're lucky...