Women in local wars and military conflicts in 1950–1991 (the example of the representatives of Belarus)

Abstract

The author analyses main circumstances of the participation of women in local wars and military conflicts of the Cold War era, their way to the Soviet military missions and military units in Asia and Africa. We can see the detailed overview of historiography and sources on the topic. The article is supplemented by new unexplored aspects of the problem and vectors of its further research. The author indicates the primary options for Soviet women, ever military personnel and civilians, entering countries with an unfavorable military situation based on the example of the participants in the war in Afghanistan (women who were born in Belarus or lives here now), and highlights the main categories of professions that were in demand in the “hot spots” of the 1970s–1980s. Also the author specifies how many natives of Belarus died during military conflicts; the place of birth and burial of one of them was specified for the first time in historiography.