What capital city did the Soviet Union airlift troops on Christmas Eve in 1979?
Kabul, Afghanistan. Phase 3: 12/24/1979 8,000 Soviet troops crossed into Afghanistan, followed by many more. Amin was executed on December 27 and Soviet-supported Karmal took power. The US embargoed grain sales, boycotted the Moscow Olympics and, along with India, China and Pakistan, supported rebel groups based in Pakistan. By 1986 Pakistan housed 3 million refugees, Iran 2 million. The UNGA annually condemned Soviet occupation and called for withdrawal. The USSR vetoed UNSC action, but good offices continued. With weapons such as US Stinger missiles, the rebels inflicted significant losses on Soviet aircraft, convoys and positions.
