The purpose of life – to serve the Motherland
December 20, 2010 // Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Public Affairs Service
On December 29, 2010, it will be 31 years after the limited Soviet troops’ contingent engagement to Afghanistan. Before the date, we had the honour to communicate with the Head of the State Veterans Committee, Hero of the Soviet Union, Major – general Ihor Ploskonos.
| Reference: Ihor Ploskonos was born in 1959. In 1976 he finished Kyiv Suvorov Military School, in 1980 – Baku higher command school, in 1988 he graduated from Frunze Military Academy. He served in the Far East, in the Central Asia, in Hungary and in Ukraine. During 1981-1984 Ihor Ploskonos was in the command of reconnaissance landing company in Afghanistan. Since February 2007, he has been the Head of the State Veterans Committee. |
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- Ihor Mykolaiovych, our meeting is held before a significant date for you – on December 29 it will be the 31st anniversary since the day of the Soviet troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. You were a direct participant of the Afghan war, and since 2007 you have been the Head of the State Veterans Committee, the part of veterans of which is composed of former Afghan war veterans. What has Ukraine inherited from that war? What does this war mean personally for you?
Now, about 100, 00 Afghanistan combatants live in Ukraine. Among them, 500 disabled war veterans of group I, and more than 11, 000 people – disabled persons of groups II and III. About 1600 families received a sorrowful inheritance from that war; in Afghanistan they lost the most precious things – their relatives. It is hard to answer unambiguously what that war really meant for me personally, but one thing is clear – it has drastically changed my life.
- You got to the limited contingent of the Soviet troops in Afghanistan in a year after graduation from the military school. How did it happen? What was the reaction of your family to the news of your departure to Afghanistan?
In 1980, after my graduation from military school, I was sent to the Far East to continue my service. I began my military career at the post of air assault platoon commander. In December, 1981, an order selecting officers for Afghanistan came to our military unit. The desire to serve in the DRA was expressed by several officers, I was among them.
My wife, certainly, took the news rather sharp. She asked me: “What are you doing? Our daughter is only three months old. What would we do, if something happens?”. I remember that I said only: “Tania, our Motherland needs it, so it should be so”. In two days after that, I packed things to the container, sent my wife and daughter to Moscow, and left for Kabul.
- What were your first impressions in Afghanistan? What do you remember the most? What was the situation in the area of your units’ combat mission?
There were many first impressions. Descending the gangway in Kabul, I noticed tracer bullets skirmish on the outskirts of the town and thought: “It is funny in here…”. After arriving to Kunduz, I understood that it was much “funnier” there.
Now, about 100, 00 Afghanistan combatants live in Ukraine. Among them, 500 disabled war veterans of group I, and more than 11, 000 people – disabled persons of groups II and III. About 1600 families received a sorrowful inheritance from that war; in Afghanistan they lost the most precious things – their relatives. It is hard to answer unambiguously what that war really meant for me personally, but one thing is clear – it has drastically changed my life.
- You got to the limited contingent of the Soviet troops in Afghanistan in a year after graduation from the military school. How did it happen? What was the reaction of your family to the news of your departure to Afghanistan?
In 1980, after my graduation from military school, I was sent to the Far East to continue my service. I began my military career at the post of air assault platoon commander. In December, 1981, an order selecting officers for Afghanistan came to our military unit. The desire to serve in the DRA was expressed by several officers, I was among them.
My wife, certainly, took the news rather sharp. She asked me: “What are you doing? Our daughter is only three months old. What would we do, if something happens?”. I remember that I said only: “Tania, our Motherland needs it, so it should be so”. In two days after that, I packed things to the container, sent my wife and daughter to Moscow, and left for Kabul.
- What were your first impressions in Afghanistan? What do you remember the most? What was the situation in the area of your units’ combat mission?
There were many first impressions. Descending the gangway in Kabul, I noticed tracer bullets skirmish on the outskirts of the town and thought: “It is funny in here…”. After arriving to Kunduz, I understood that it was much “funnier” there.
During the rest halt
I was appointed deputy commander of reconnaissance landing company in 783rd reconnaissance battalion of 201st motorized rifle division. My company commander was captain Maltsev, a skilled and experienced officer, a talented reconnaissance man. In total dark, and using only compass, he could lead reconnaissance groups to places of their destination for kilometres. I learned a lot from him and even now I am grateful for the knowledge I received.
What I remember the most, are probably my fallen comrades. In our company, one of the first to die was special reconnaissance platoon commander senior lieutenant Oleh Antonenko, who is buried on the Baikove cemetery. Besides, his name is engraved first on the monument to Afghan war veterans in Kyiv...
Reference: 201st Hatchynsk motorized rifle division decorated with two Orders of the Red Banner was engaged to Afghanistan on February, 14, 1980. Its units were stationed on the North East of the DRA in the provinces of Kunduz, Bahlan, Balkh, Takhar and Samanhan. Personnel of the 201st motorized rifle division participated in all large-scale combat operations of the 40th Army in Afghanistan. Over that period, three military men of the division were awarded Titles of the Hero of the Soviet Union, and on May, 4, 1985, according to the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, 201st motorized rifle division was decorated with the second Order of the Red Banner. In 1989, the division supported the Soviet troops’ withdrawal from the DRA. The last unit to leave the territory of Afghanistan was separate reconnaissance battalion of the division.
- You were not the spoilt child of the fortune. In 1981-1984 you were reconnaissance landing company commander. The armed bands showed their greatest activity exactly during that period. And the main load of fight against them was laid over the reconnaissance units of the 40th army. What helped you to withstand those tough times? And how did you manage to carry out combat missions successfully during that period?
Staying in Afghanistan for two and a half years is difficult to call the best pages of my life. It was rather hard, especially for the first two months, but knowledge and skills received in the military school, as well as excellent physical fitness have done their good job. During my studies in the school I actively went in for sports, received the title of master of sports in officers’ multiathlon; and all that certainly helped me during the service in Afghanistan.
Speaking of the armed bands activity during that period, I would like to demonstrate it by an example. Then you may draw your own conclusions.
There were no days off in the landing company I was in charge of. The company’s personnel were involved in combat missions almost every day. The intensity of the activity was really crazy – if we went “to work” at night, we had only half of the day to rest, and vice versa. Only before large-scale operations we were able to have a rest for 2-3 days. Today, when you meet people or read commendation lists where it is written that a person took part only in 18 combat operations during the service in the DRA, it is unclear what this person have been doing for two years there.
Reference: Mujaheddins proclaimed 1984 (1363 according to the Afghani calendar) the year of revenge. The year became the bloodiest period of the Afghan war. 2343 Soviet soldiers and officers died. The limited contingent of the Soviet Army troops was completely involved in the full-scale civil war on the territory of the DRA.
- Tell us about your company’s tasks, please.
We had various tasks to accomplish – either to perform reconnaissance, or to accompany motorcades from the territory of the USSR, etc. Just imagine, the 6-kilometres long motorcade of about 400 vehicles, skirmish everywhere, military equipment blown up, tank trucks burned…I have only 6 armoured troop carriers and 6 infantry combat vehicles… And despite all that, we managed to deliver the motorcades to their places of destination. Division commander trusted my company; the personnel valued the trust and tried to do their best to justify that confidence.
Reference: The Afghan War showed the irrelevance of aim, tasks and arrangement of reconnaissance to those written in the Soviet troops’ regulations. Besides, the specificity of actions was caused by the difference of responsibility zones defined for limited contingent’s units. 201st motorized rifle division was responsible for 5 provinces with the population of about 1,5 million people. According to the Soviet intelligence, near 360 mujahidin’s’ detachments and groups acted in the zone of division’s responsibility. Due to the operations record book, 783rd separate reconnaissance battalion took part in the hostilities for 300 days annually.
- One of your former subordinates – sergeant Marufhodjaiev – in one of his interviews said about you: “I was a student of Samarkand food training college. Ploskonos has made a scout of me. I would remember him as long as I live. I was in the Marmol ravine with him…”. Such an acknowledgement from your subordinate is a high appreciation. What happened then in the Marmol ravine?
I was the only one in 201st motorized rifle division who was permitted to select soldiers from units of the division. Those were real professionals and outstanding persons. If I put the task, I was absolutely sure that it would be carried out in any conditions. Probably it was the reason why we constantly survived the conditions when there was almost no opportunity to stay alive.
What I remember the most, are probably my fallen comrades. In our company, one of the first to die was special reconnaissance platoon commander senior lieutenant Oleh Antonenko, who is buried on the Baikove cemetery. Besides, his name is engraved first on the monument to Afghan war veterans in Kyiv...
Reference: 201st Hatchynsk motorized rifle division decorated with two Orders of the Red Banner was engaged to Afghanistan on February, 14, 1980. Its units were stationed on the North East of the DRA in the provinces of Kunduz, Bahlan, Balkh, Takhar and Samanhan. Personnel of the 201st motorized rifle division participated in all large-scale combat operations of the 40th Army in Afghanistan. Over that period, three military men of the division were awarded Titles of the Hero of the Soviet Union, and on May, 4, 1985, according to the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, 201st motorized rifle division was decorated with the second Order of the Red Banner. In 1989, the division supported the Soviet troops’ withdrawal from the DRA. The last unit to leave the territory of Afghanistan was separate reconnaissance battalion of the division.
- You were not the spoilt child of the fortune. In 1981-1984 you were reconnaissance landing company commander. The armed bands showed their greatest activity exactly during that period. And the main load of fight against them was laid over the reconnaissance units of the 40th army. What helped you to withstand those tough times? And how did you manage to carry out combat missions successfully during that period?
Staying in Afghanistan for two and a half years is difficult to call the best pages of my life. It was rather hard, especially for the first two months, but knowledge and skills received in the military school, as well as excellent physical fitness have done their good job. During my studies in the school I actively went in for sports, received the title of master of sports in officers’ multiathlon; and all that certainly helped me during the service in Afghanistan.
Speaking of the armed bands activity during that period, I would like to demonstrate it by an example. Then you may draw your own conclusions.
There were no days off in the landing company I was in charge of. The company’s personnel were involved in combat missions almost every day. The intensity of the activity was really crazy – if we went “to work” at night, we had only half of the day to rest, and vice versa. Only before large-scale operations we were able to have a rest for 2-3 days. Today, when you meet people or read commendation lists where it is written that a person took part only in 18 combat operations during the service in the DRA, it is unclear what this person have been doing for two years there.
Reference: Mujaheddins proclaimed 1984 (1363 according to the Afghani calendar) the year of revenge. The year became the bloodiest period of the Afghan war. 2343 Soviet soldiers and officers died. The limited contingent of the Soviet Army troops was completely involved in the full-scale civil war on the territory of the DRA.
- Tell us about your company’s tasks, please.
We had various tasks to accomplish – either to perform reconnaissance, or to accompany motorcades from the territory of the USSR, etc. Just imagine, the 6-kilometres long motorcade of about 400 vehicles, skirmish everywhere, military equipment blown up, tank trucks burned…I have only 6 armoured troop carriers and 6 infantry combat vehicles… And despite all that, we managed to deliver the motorcades to their places of destination. Division commander trusted my company; the personnel valued the trust and tried to do their best to justify that confidence.
Reference: The Afghan War showed the irrelevance of aim, tasks and arrangement of reconnaissance to those written in the Soviet troops’ regulations. Besides, the specificity of actions was caused by the difference of responsibility zones defined for limited contingent’s units. 201st motorized rifle division was responsible for 5 provinces with the population of about 1,5 million people. According to the Soviet intelligence, near 360 mujahidin’s’ detachments and groups acted in the zone of division’s responsibility. Due to the operations record book, 783rd separate reconnaissance battalion took part in the hostilities for 300 days annually.
- One of your former subordinates – sergeant Marufhodjaiev – in one of his interviews said about you: “I was a student of Samarkand food training college. Ploskonos has made a scout of me. I would remember him as long as I live. I was in the Marmol ravine with him…”. Such an acknowledgement from your subordinate is a high appreciation. What happened then in the Marmol ravine?
I was the only one in 201st motorized rifle division who was permitted to select soldiers from units of the division. Those were real professionals and outstanding persons. If I put the task, I was absolutely sure that it would be carried out in any conditions. Probably it was the reason why we constantly survived the conditions when there was almost no opportunity to stay alive.
Company’s personnel after the Marmol ravine
You asked about the Marmol ravine. It must have probably been one of the most difficult operations I participated in. It started from the accident on January 2, 1983, when 15 Soviet civil specialists disappeared from the city of Mazari-Sharif. We found out that they were captured by mujahidin and hidden in the mountains.
Over a month we led searches and found the approximate place of their location. My company’s task was to block the Bazarak pass and keep mujahidin in the encirclement. According to the command, we had to stand there for 3 days, but it appeared to be 10, but not three. We were lucky to take more ammunition at the expense of provision. And that helped us to hold out and save our citizens. I have one photo left. There I stand with my fellows after the Marmol ravine.
Every time I look at it, a cold shiver runs down my spine…
What can I say…? Somewhere in the cities and villages of Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Belorussia now live and work soldiers who came back from Afghanistan and with whom I crawled on the belly throughout the Afghan land. That is also their award. It is my company’s award. It was just given to the commander…
- Could you please tell us about war ruses you used during the combat operations?
We used different ways of camouflage and disguise. We grew moustaches and beards, rather often used national Afghani clothes.
Over a month we led searches and found the approximate place of their location. My company’s task was to block the Bazarak pass and keep mujahidin in the encirclement. According to the command, we had to stand there for 3 days, but it appeared to be 10, but not three. We were lucky to take more ammunition at the expense of provision. And that helped us to hold out and save our citizens. I have one photo left. There I stand with my fellows after the Marmol ravine.
Every time I look at it, a cold shiver runs down my spine…
| - You received the Order Red Star after the year of service in Afghanistan. It was your first decoration. What preceded the award? In September, 1983, the company’s personnel destroyed the famous field commander, the so-called doctor Shams, who influenced the whole province of Kunduz. At night we penetrated to the road Kunduz-Khanabad and lay an ambush. 24 bandits with Shams among them got to the ambush. All of them were destroyed, and my men stayed alive. For that operation I was awarded the Order Red Star and the Afghan Order Star. - On November 15, 1983, at the age of 24 and at the rank of senior lieutenant you became the Hero of a vast country – what did it mean for you? |
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- Could you please tell us about war ruses you used during the combat operations?
We used different ways of camouflage and disguise. We grew moustaches and beards, rather often used national Afghani clothes.
| Speaking of monkey business, I must admit that there was a lot of it. For example, Afghan dogs always felt the smell of “shuravi”. That’s why, several days before the operation we flew to the predesigned place of the mission and killed all the dogs. If dogs appeared there again, it meant that there was a mujahidin. - We would like to ask about your today’s activity. What are the functions of the State veterans committee? Is there individual work with veterans and members of their families, what does it look like? Could you please make some examples? |
Senior lieutenant Ihor Ploskonos |
Most of the problems occur because people don’t know their own rights.
We advise veterans where to apply to solve this or that problem. And believe me, there are dozens of them…One of the most painful questions for the Armed Forces’ veterans is the housing problem. Once Yaroslav Horoshko’s widow turned to me for help. She told me how the wife and two elder sons of the fallen Hero of the Soviet Union, as well as his father, disabled veteran of the Great Patriotic War, live in a one-room flat. I had to go to different authorities and comprehensibly explain how to treat the Hero’s widow. We managed to solve the problem - Horoshko’s family received a three-room flat and now lives there.
| - Ihor Mykolaiovych, when you here the expression – “he’ll do to take along” – what kind of a person do you think it should be? It should certainly be a person you totally trust; the one, who is quick on the uptake, who understands the meaning at once and whom you can undoubtedly confide your life to. What would you recommend and wish the young generation of scouts? The wish is rather simple. In the times of nowadays pragmatism and mercantilism one should remember: the honour can be sold, but not for anything in the world you can buy it back. Have and cherish it! What does Major General Ploskonos dream of now, as an officer, an Afghan war veteran, and Head of the State veterans committee? I dream that we will have enough savvy and money to pay back the debt of honour to the veterans of war, the people, who pass away more quickly each year. |
Heroes of the Afghan war |
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Public Affairs Service
