Afghan Breakdown (Afganskiy izlom) is a 1991 Soviet-Italian co-production war drama directed by Vladimir Bortko. It depicts the story of a Soviet paratrooper unit just before the Soviet pull-out in 1988. Michele Placido appears in the role of Maj. Bandura, war-burned officer who is highly respected by his soldiers but disliked by commanders.
The following weapons were used in the film Afghan Breakdown:
Lee-Enfield SMLE No. 1 Mk.III* and Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI
Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* and No.4 MkI rifles are carried by several of the mujaheddin fighters, most notably when the Soviet paratroopers attack a rebel village in the film's finale.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingLee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* - .303 British. This was the main battle rifle of British and Commonwealth forces during the First World War, introduced in 1907 it has seen action throughout the 20th century.Error creating thumbnail: File missingLee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 British. This was the main battle rifle of British and Commonwealth forces during World War Two, however, it was supplemented heavily with the older Lee Enfield No.1 MK.III. In service between 1941–PresentError creating thumbnail: File missingAn elderly mujaheddin fighter prepares to fire his Lee-Enfield No.4 MkI rifle at Soviet forces.
SVT-40
The Tokarev SVT-40 Rifle is carried by several mujaheddin, and is most clearly seen when the paratroopers ambush a group of rebels in the film's introduction.
AKMS rifles are commonly used by the Soviet paratroopers in conjunction with the AKS-74, with most having orange bakelite magazines taped together "jungle-style". Major Bandura (Michele Placido), the leader of the airborne unit, carries an AKMS with a 75-round RPK drum magazine throughout much of the film, before switching to standard metal magazines during the finale.
AKM rifles are occasionally seen in the hands of Soviet troops and Afghan mujaheddin, most notably during a scene when a crate of the rifles is given by the Soviets to a local tribal leader.
Most of the mujaheddin are armed with Norinco Type 56 rifles with under-folding bayonets, which is realistic considering many fighters in real life were supplied with Chinese weapons.
The AKS-74 is the standard weapon of the Soviet paratroopers, with some of the rifles being fitted with GP-25 grenade launchers. Most of the rifles have two magazines taped "jungle-style" with blue electrical tape, a common practice among Soviet and Russian soldiers.
A Soviet tank crew member fires an AKS-74U when a convoy is ambushed by the mujaheddin, wounding one of the fighters who is promptly crushed by the tank.
