For those involved in historical reenactment or military collecting, acquiring the correct uniform is often the crucial first step in creating an authentic impression. However, like any aspect of military history, the world of Soviet uniforms used in Afghanistan is filled with nuances. This article serves as a guide, similar in structure to our detailed list of weapons employed by Soviet forces in Afghanistan. We aim to catalog the various types of “uniforms”—encompassing all forms of outer clothing, a broad definition for clarity in this context—used during the conflict. As our knowledge base expands, we will continue to update this resource with further articles.
Parade Uniforms in Afghanistan
Despite not being commonly seen in Afghanistan, parade uniforms were indeed present. Parades within the Soviet contingent in Afghanistan primarily featured soldiers and officers in their standard field uniforms, more practical for the climate. The wool parade uniform was simply too warm for the Afghan heat, and maintaining its pristine condition would have been a significant challenge. Nevertheless, personnel arriving in Afghanistan typically possessed a parade uniform set.
Image alt text: A glimpse of a Soviet parade uniform, highlighting its formal appearance contrasting with typical Afghan terrain.
Soldiers often reserved their parade uniforms for demobilization, sometimes adding personalized touches. While officers rarely wore their everyday parade uniforms in Afghanistan, the dress parade blues were even less common, making photographic evidence of them in Afghanistan exceptionally scarce and thus excluded from this list.
- Soldiers’ M69 parade uniform
- Officers’ everyday parade uniform
Everyday Field Soviet Uniform (“Afghanka”)
The “everyday field uniform,” most famously known as the “Afghanka,” was designed for both combat and daily base life. It became the most ubiquitous uniform type in Afghanistan, worn across all Soviet military branches and ranks. Some soldiers and officers spent their entire deployments wearing primarily, if not exclusively, the Afghanka.
Image alt text: A typical Soviet Afghanka field uniform, showcasing its practical design for the Afghan environment.
For reenactors and collectors, the Afghanka should be the foundational uniform piece. While specialized uniforms like the Mabuta or a colonel’s airborne camouflage hold appeal, lacking a standard khaki field uniform would be conspicuously out of place.
While older uniform types like the M43 Gymnasterka occasionally appear in photographs, their rarity during the Afghan conflict makes them unsuitable for portraying typical everyday Soviet soldiers of that period.
For colder conditions, several winter uniform variations existed:
- Enlisted men winter M69 uniform
- Officers’ M69 uniform
- Greycoat
- Experimental winter Afghanka
- Regular winter Afghanka
Soviet Overalls in Afghanistan
“Overalls” constitutes a broad category encompassing clothing items outside the standard “Uniform” classification. The distinction lies in regulation: Soviet uniforms were governed by strict dress codes, especially during formal occasions. Overalls, designated as “special wear,” theoretically lacked such rigid rules. While regulations were more enforced in peacetime deployments, in Afghanistan, soldiers and officers frequently wore various overalls even in combat situations, often deviating from official guidelines.
Image alt text: Assorted Soviet overalls used in Afghanistan, demonstrating the variety beyond standard uniforms.
A primary driver for overall usage was uniform scarcity. The regulated allocation of uniforms meant obtaining replacements was difficult. The harsh Afghan environment accelerated uniform wear and tear, sometimes within weeks. Consequently, soldiers often resorted to wearing overalls for which they were not strictly accountable.
Common types of Soviet overalls seen in Afghanistan include:
- Parachute jumping overalls
- Tank crew overalls (black and yellow)
- Working suit
- KZS camouflage suit
- KLMK camouflage suit
- Mabuta – a general purpose uniform, further detailed in this article on GRU uniforms
- Airforce technical overalls
- Gorka ver.0 suit
- Gorka ver.1 suit
Winter also necessitated specialized overalls:
- Parachute jumping winter set
- Tank crew winter overalls
- Winter work suit jacket
- Airforce winter jacket
Soviet Headgear in Afghanistan
Headgear is an integral part of almost any military uniform, and the Soviet Army possessed a long tradition of distinctive hats and caps. The following headgear types were common in Afghanistan:
Image alt text: A selection of Soviet military headgear, representing different styles used in Afghanistan.
- Panama hat
- Afghanka cap
- Pilotka garrison cap
- Vizor cap (parade)
- Vizor cap (field)
- Ushanka fur hat
- Winter underhelmet balaclava
- Civilian sports hat
Miscellaneous Soviet Clothing in Afghanistan
Beyond uniforms and overalls, Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan utilized other clothing items, listed here as a starting point for future in-depth discussions:
- Summer Underwear
- Demi seasonal underwear
- Winter Underwear
- Officer’s summer underwear
- Officer’s winter underwear
- Military pullover
- Civilian pullover
- Portyanki (foot wraps)
- Local clothing
This overview provides a comprehensive look into the diverse range of Soviet military clothing worn in Afghanistan, essential knowledge for collectors, reenactors, and anyone interested in the material history of the Soviet-Afghan War.
