Hafizullah Amin
Stationed in the Soviet embassy in Kabul, which was close to the Tajbeg Palace of President Hafizullah Amin, Karpukhin's forces awaited further instructions. On December 27, Karpukhin was ordered to take the presidential palace. In the attack, two Soviet soldiers were killed, and Amin was shot to death. The following day, Prime Minister Babrak Karmal took Amin's seat as president. Karpukhin was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union medal for his role.