When did the Soviet Union invade Afghanistan?
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. This invasion shattered a decade of cooperation between Washington and Moscow.
Questions about Cold War (1979–1985)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007 on September 1st 1983?
Soviet fighter jets shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007 over Moneron Island. The attack killed all 269 passengers including Larry McDonald, a U.S. Congressman from Georgia.
How long did Yuri Andropov rule the Soviet Union after succeeding Brezhnev?
Yuri Andropov ruled for only fifteen months before dying on the 9th of February 1984. He attempted systemic reforms to clean up corruption by dismissing numerous party ministers and secretaries.
What happened during Able Archer 83 in November 1983?
Able Archer 83 was NATO's most realistic nuclear war simulation to date involving an end-game scenario simulating full-scale nuclear assault. Military units in East Germany and Poland went on high alert with Mig-23 fighters stationed near borders and SS-20 missiles moved into position.
When did Konstantin Chernenko meet Ronald Reagan in Geneva?
Konstantin Chernenko met Ronald Reagan in Geneva on the 7th of January 1985. They agreed to resume formal negotiations on nuclear and space weapons despite Chernenko continuing Soviet involvement in Afghanistan until his death.