[Trumpinator]

I think the native Afghans who fought on the Soviet side may make it to your figure. Maybe, the USSR figured they used up all their allies forces and would have to start using their own troops and that is when they retreated.

1,600 dead Soviet troops sounds like maybe half died from drunken accidents rather than fighting.

I know I read - but can't find source now - that most of the Soviet regular forces in Afghanistan were themselves from the 'Stans except for the special forces and officer corps and engineering battalions.

[Psalm 144]

“I know I read - but can’t find source now - that most of the Soviet regular forces in Afghanistan were themselves from the ‘Stans except for the special forces and officer corps and engineering battalions.”

Interesting. I did not know that. Did that have any bearing on subsequent events in Chechnya that you are aware of?

[DungeonMaster]

Then there is the whole issue of trusting anything any Russian says. They have their own Bagdad Bob network that really know their business.