Boris Gromov
Commander, Soviet 40th Army
"Behind me, there is not a single Soviet soldier. Our nine-year presence in Afghanistan is over."
Biography
Boris Vsevolodovich Gromov was born in Saratov in 1943 and rose through the Soviet military ranks to command the 40th Army — the main Soviet force in Afghanistan — from 1987 to 1989. A professional soldier of considerable ability, Gromov oversaw the war's final phase and the massive Operation Magistral before supervising the phased withdrawal mandated by the Geneva Accords. He brought the last Soviet soldier out of Afghanistan in February 1989.
Did you know?
Gromov served two separate tours in Afghanistan — first as a divisional commander in 1980–82, then returned as 40th Army commander in 1987. He was one of the few Soviet officers who understood from the start that the war could not be won militarily.
Key Battles
Operation Magistral
Soviet Union / DRA Government victoryNovember 1987 – January 1988 · 5,000 total casualties
Soviet Withdrawal Begins
Afghan Mujahideen victoryMay 15, 1988 · 0 total casualties
Life Journey
Timeline
November 7, 1943
🌅 Birth
Born in Saratov, Russia
1965
📚 Education
Graduates from Frunze Military Academy; commissioned as Soviet Army officer
1980–1982
📍 Posting
First tour in Afghanistan as divisional commander
November 1987 – January 1988
⚔️ Battle
Commands Operation Magistral, the largest Soviet offensive of the war
February 15, 1989
⚔️ Battle
Crosses the Friendship Bridge as the last Soviet soldier to leave Afghanistan
2000–2012
🕊️ Postwar
Serves as Governor of Moscow Oblast