Soviet Deserter Held by Mujahideen Returns Home After Four Decades

Soviet serviceman Sergey Krasnoperov, who spent 40 years living in Afghanistan, returned to Russia on Thursday, May 22. In 1985, during the Soviet-Afghan war, Krasnoperov was captured. Prior to being taken prisoner, he had left his unit without authorization following a conflict with fellow soldiers. According to him, they were coercing him to trade his supplies for alcohol on the local market, and subjected him to threats and beatings, RT said. After fleeing his unit, Krasnoperov encountered mujahideen fighters. Although they initially intended to kill him, they ultimately spared his life. However, they could not release him afterward, as he had learned too much about their activities.