Warnings from Russia's Afghan vets

Russian troops still observe Afghanistan from the Tajik-Afghan border

By CNN Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- The former Soviet Union's war in Afghanistan ended 12 years ago, but talk of U.S. military action there has prompted vivid memories -- and stark warnings -- from Russia's veterans.

"The U.S. doesn't fully understand what Afghanistan is like," says Vladimir Krupennikov. "They can't think of it as another Yugoslavia."

Krupennikov, like others at the Afghan War Veterans' Rehabilitation Centre outside of Moscow, say Afghanistan's barren mountains demand a different kind of fighting: small groups of specially trained men, not a massive airborne assault.

Oleg Zaretsky says soldiers must be prepared for extreme conditions.

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"Our convoy was blown up," Zaretsky says. "The explosion went right through the bottom of our (armoured personnel carrier). We didn't make it to the hospital for two days, so I got gangrene and ended up having my hands amputated."

Ramis Khaliulov gave two years of his life -- and more -- to the Afghan conflict. Just like his 11-month old daughter Alsu, he's now learning to walk.

He has a new prosthesis to take the place of the leg he lost 20 years ago, when his convoy was ambushed bringing in supplies.

"I was wounded and lay there in the mountains for four and a half hours," Khaliulov says. "They couldn't get us out, then they finally got the helicopters in."

Andrei Chepurnoi was 25 when he shipped out to Afghanistan.

For two and a half years he commanded a Soviet special forces commando unit, helicoptering in at night to capture rebel bases -- operations that had to be carried out swiftly and precisely.

"The most important thing: Everyone has to be self-assured and brave," Chepurnoi says. "They have to have a fighting spirit. If they have any doubts -- if they waver the least bit -- well, it's better not to go."