No matter how we now feel about the Soviet-Afghan war of 1979–1989, it will forever remain inscribed in the bright memory of posterity, which will be facilitated by books like the one you now hold in your hands. The Afghan War... For some it became another step on the path to a successful career, doomed someone to lifelong suffering, taking away some part of the body and devastating the soul, and buried someone in the Asian sand deserts. The author of the book, Mikhail Fedorovich Skrynnikov, served from the very beginning of the war Chief of Intelligence of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division. His book is dedicated to the actions of a special airborne unit in Afghanistan, whose young fighters heroically and selflessly defended the interests of their Motherland not only on the orders of the commander, but also because the HONOR of the Russian soldier demanded it.