Afghan Breakdown (Russian title: Afganskiy izlom ) is a 1990 Soviet-Italian co-production about the experiences of a paratrooper unit just before the Soviet pull-out in 1988. The film was made with the active cooperation of the Red Army and was filmed near Afghanistan in the Tajik Socialist Soviet Republic (modern-day Tajikistan), giving it a sense of authenticity unusual in most movies about the Soviet-Afghan war.

The following weapons are featured in the film Afghan Breakdown:

Submachine Guns

PPSh-41

A PPSh-41 submachine gun is used by one of the mujaheddin who ambush a Soviet convoy mid-way through the film.

Soviet PPSh-41 Submachine Gun - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Mujaheddin, including a rebel with a PPSH-41, ambush a Soviet convoy.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield SMLE No. 1 Mk.III*

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles are carried by several of the mujaheddin fighters, most notably when the Soviet paratroopers attack a rebel village in the film's finale.

Lee-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.

An elderly mujaheddin fighter prepares to fire his SMLE.

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.

Tokarev SVT-40, 7.62x54mm R

A dead mujaheddin fighter lies next to a SVT-40 rifle.

AKMS

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.

AKMS, stamped steel receiver w/ slant muzzle brake and under-folding stock - 7.62x39mm

A paratrooper fires his AKMS at a pack horse loaded with ammunition.

Major Bandura climbs aboard a BMP-2 IFV, AKMS in hand.

Bandura returns fire with his AKMS during an ambush.

Bandura hides behind a wall during the film's finale.

AKM

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.

AKM, Stamped Steel Receiver w/ slant muzzle brake 7.62x39mm

A crate of AKM rifles that is given to a tribal leader as a goodwill gift.

Norinco Type 56

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.

Norinco Type 56 (fixed stock variant) with under-folding bayonet ("pig sticker") which was standard on PLA-issue Type 56s - 7.62x39mm

A mujaheddin fires his Type 56 during the ambush of a Soviet convoy.

A young boy clutches a Type 56 after his village is destroyed by Soviet helicopters.

AKS-74

The AKS-74 is the standard weapon of the Soviet paratroopers, with some of the rifles being fitted with GP-30 grenade launchers. Most of the rifles have two magazines taped "jungle-style" with blue electrical tape, a common practice among Soviet and Russian soldiers.

AKS-74 5.45x39mm

Soviet paratroopers on patrol.

A radioman with an AKS-74.

AKS-74U

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.