[Writing to his superiors who refuse to give him aid]
"The final solution to the problem lies in the mastery of Dehdadi [pronounced De-Haad-ee]  and Balkh [pronounced Baulk]. There is no manpower for this. It needs a technique. The issue would be resolved if I received 200 gas grenades and the guns. In addition, it is necessary to make the detachment more maneuverable, to give me a squadron of thugs... I have been denied a squadron, aviation, and gas grenades. Failure violates the basic condition: take Mazar, then help. If you can expect that the situation will change and we will get help, I will defend the city. If help cannot be counted on, then I will play all-in and go to take Dehdadi [pronounced De-Haad-ee]. If I take it, then we are masters of the situation. No, then we’ll turn to a gang and look for ways to go home.- Vitaly Primakov”