The departure of the last Soviet armored column from Kabul was a pivotal moment in the Soviet–Afghan War, which lasted from December 1979 until February 1989. The decision to withdraw was influenced largely by the prolonged commitment of Soviet forces and rising casualties, as well as strong resistance from Afghan mujahideen fighters. By early 1989, both the Soviet leadership and the international community recognized the futility of continued military engagement. The departure was the culmination of diplomatic negotiations that led to the Geneva Accords, effectively pledging Soviet withdrawal in stages. The last column, comprising tanks and armored personnel carriers, traversed through urban areas and faced the inherent dangers of ambushes from remaining insurgents.As this last military contingent left the capital, it represented not just a physical exit but a profound change in regional dynamics. Afghanistan was left in a state of civil strife, as multiple factions vied for power in the absence of Soviet presence. The vacuum created by the withdrawal would further entrench various factions, leading to an ongoing conflict that persisted through the 1990s and laid groundwork for future instability, including the rise of the Taliban. The end of this military campaign not only marked the closure of a chapter in Soviet military history but also significantly altered Afghanistan's trajectory.