The World : Soviet Afghan Cuts Seen

The Soviet Union has cut its troop strength in Afghanistan to 76,000, Jane’s Defense Weekly said. The Soviets, who most recently were reported to have 115,000 men in the country, face “many more Afghan winters” fighting Muslim guerrillas, Mark L. Urban, a London-based specialist on Soviet affairs, wrote in the military reference publication. Urban said the Soviet garrison now includes three infantry divisions, compared to the seven divisions estimated by Western intelligence. About 24,000 support troops and advisers back up combat troops, he said.