The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

assignments. Only once, when a battalion of Afghan commandos rebelled in the Bala HissarFortress and a rumor flared that the rebels were on the way to kill communists and theSoviets, did a hint of danger appear. Zenit commandos took their positions, which wereprepared in advance, and got ready for the battle, but not one shot was fired. The rebellionwas suppressed by the Afghans themselves on the same day.The day after that incident, Kurilov was called by the commander of the detachment:“Pack your bags. The car will take you to Dolmatov’s villa now. You will live there and servethere from now on.”A group of officers from Zenit lived in a two-story villa that was surrounded by animposing stone fence. The residence was called the “First Villa.” It was located not far fromthe embassy, in a district of Kabul that consisted mostly of similar buildings, inhabited byhigh-level bureaucrats, merchants, and some staff members of the Soviet embassy.The move heralded the beginning of a new phase of life in Afghanistan for ValeryKurilov—a much more pleasant one than before. Valery was at the service of AlexanderDolmatov, whom he had met at the KGB Academy. Dolmatov was teaching physicaltraining, hand-to-hand fighting, and mastery of cold steel weaponry and other objects thatcould be used as weapons. According to Dolmatov, a basic broom could become a lethalweapon, not to mention a toothbrush. He taught the same course at Balashikha base.Alexander Ivanovich, who was short, stocky, and animated, was a favorite instructor amongthe young officers. As for Kurilov, he established a very special connection with him, thekind that can develop between a talented teacher and a very capable student.Dolmatov squeezed Kurilov’s hand in a handshake that made him cringe in pain.“You have served as a watchman long enough, Valery. Now we are going to do real work.459