Which special forces took part in the 1993 coup. Communist Party of the Russian Federation Crimean Republican branch. What was it

The confrontation between the two branches of Russian government, which has lasted since the collapse of the USSR - the executive in the person of Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the legislative in the form of parliament (the Supreme Council (SC) of the RSFSR), headed by Ruslan Khasbulatov, around the pace of reforms and methods of building a new state, October 3-4, 1993 year and ended with a tank shelling of the seat of parliament - the House of Soviets (White House).

According to the conclusion of the State Duma Commission for additional study and analysis of the events that took place in the city of Moscow on September 21 - October 5, 1993, the initial cause and grave consequences of them were the preparation and publication by Boris Yeltsin of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of September 21 No. 1400 "On the phased constitutional reform in Russian Federation", voiced in his television address to the citizens of Russia on September 21, 1993 at 20.00. The Decree, in particular, ordered to interrupt the implementation of legislative, administrative and control functions by the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation, not to convene the Congress of People's Deputies, and also to terminate the powers of people's deputies of the Russian Federation.

30 minutes after Yeltsin’s television message, Chairman of the Supreme Council (SC) Ruslan Khasbulatov spoke on television. He qualified Yeltsin's actions as a coup d'etat.

On the same day at 22.00, at an emergency meeting of the Presidium of the Supreme Court, a resolution was adopted “On the immediate termination of the powers of the President of the Russian Federation B.N. Yeltsin.”

At the same time, an emergency meeting began Constitutional Court(KS) chaired by Valery Zorkin. The court concluded that this decree violates the Constitution and is the basis for the removal of President Yeltsin from office. After the conclusion of the Constitutional Court was delivered to The Supreme Council, he, continuing his meeting, adopted a resolution entrusting the execution of presidential powers to Vice President Alexander Rutsky. The country entered into an acute political crisis.

On September 23 at 22.00, the extraordinary (extraordinary) X Congress of People's Deputies opened in the building of the Supreme Council. By order of the government, telephone communications and electricity were cut off in the building. The congress participants voted to terminate Yeltsin's powers and assigned Vice President Alexander Rutsky to act as president. The congress appointed the main "power ministers" - Viktor Barannikov, Vladislav Achalov and Andrei Dunaev.

To protect the Armed Forces building, additional security units were formed from among volunteers, the members of which, with a special permit, were issued firearms that belonged to the Armed Forces Security Department.

On September 27, the building of the Supreme Council was surrounded by a continuous ring of police officers and internal troops, and a barbed wire fence was installed around the building. The passage of people, vehicles (including ambulances), food and medicine into the cordoned off zone was virtually stopped.

On September 29, President Yeltsin and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin demanded that Khasbulatov and Rutskoi withdraw people from the White House and surrender their weapons by October 4.

On October 1, at the St. Daniel Monastery, through the mediation of Patriarch Alexy II, negotiations began between representatives of the governments of Russia and Moscow and the Supreme Council. Electricity was turned on in the building of the Supreme Council, and water began to flow.
At night, a protocol was signed at the mayor’s office on the gradual “removal of the tension of the confrontation,” which was the result of negotiations.

On October 2 at 13.00 a rally of supporters of the Armed Forces began on Smolenskaya Square in Moscow. There were clashes between demonstrators and police and riot police. During the unrest, the Garden Ring near the Foreign Ministry building was blocked for several hours.

On October 3, the conflict acquired an avalanche-like character. The opposition rally, which began at 14.00 on Oktyabrskaya Square, attracted tens of thousands of people. Having broken through the riot police barriers, the rally participants moved to the White House and unblocked it.

At about 16.00, Alexander Rutskoy called from the balcony to storm the city hall and Ostankino.

By 5 p.m., demonstrators stormed several floors of City Hall. When breaking through the cordon in the area of ​​the Moscow City Hall, police officers used lethal firearms against the demonstrators.

At about 19.00 the assault on the Ostankino television center began. At 19.40 all TV channels interrupted their broadcasts. After a short break, the second channel went on air, working from a backup studio. The demonstrators' attempt to take over the television center was unsuccessful.
At 22.00, Boris Yeltsin’s decree on introducing a state of emergency in Moscow and releasing Rutskoi from his duties as Vice President of the Russian Federation was broadcast on television. The deployment of troops to Moscow began.

On October 4, at 7:30 a.m., the operation to clear the White House began. Large-caliber weapons are being fired. At about 10.00 the tanks began shelling the Armed Forces building, causing a fire there.

At about 13.00, the defenders of the Armed Forces began to leave, and the wounded began to be carried out of the parliament building.

At about 6 p.m., White House defenders announced the cessation of resistance. Alexander Rutskoy, Ruslan Khasbulatov and other leaders of the armed resistance of supporters of the Supreme Council were arrested.

At 19.30, the Alpha group took 1,700 journalists, members of the Armed Forces, city residents and deputies under guard and evacuated from the building.

According to the conclusions of the State Duma Commission, according to a rough estimate, in the events of September 21 - October 5, 1993, about 200 were killed or died from their wounds and received injuries or other injuries of varying degrees of severity for at least 1000 people.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

25 years have passed since the days when people's deputies of Russia and ordinary citizens defended the rights of their people and the Constitution of Russia shoulder to shoulder.

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Background

The economic and political crisis that began in the 80s of the 20th century in the USSR intensified significantly in the 90s and led to a number of global and radical changes in its territorial and political system. It was a period of intense political strife and confusion. Supporters of staying strong central government entered into confrontation with supporters of decentralization and sovereignization of the republics.

On December 25, 1991, the last President of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, spoke on central television. He announced his resignation. At 19:38 Moscow time, the USSR flag was lowered from the Kremlin, and, after almost 70 years of existence, Soviet Union disappeared forever from political map peace.

Crisis of dual power

At the same time as the Supreme Council of the RSFSR and the Congress of People's Deputies retained broad powers, the post of President was established.

On one side of the confrontation was Boris Yeltsin. He was supported by the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by Viktor Chernomyrdin, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, a small part of deputies, as well as security forces.

On the other side was the bulk of the people's representatives and members of the Supreme Council, headed by Ruslan Khasbulatov and Alexander Rutsky, who served as vice president.

The President and his associates advocated for the rapid adoption of a new fundamental law and strengthening the influence of the President; the majority were supporters of “shock therapy.” They wanted the speedy implementation of economic reforms and a complete change in all power structures.

Their opponents advocated that all power should remain with the Congress of People's Deputies, and also against hasty reforms. An additional reason was the reluctance of the Congress to ratify the treaties signed in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.

After lengthy and fruitless negotiations, the conflict reached a dead end. Neither the proposal to impeach the president and the resignation of Khasbulatov, nor the proposal to hold early elections passed.

On September 1, President Boris Yeltsin issued a decree on the temporary removal of A. V. Rutsky from his position. The Vice President constantly sharply criticized the decisions made by the President. Rutskoi was accused of corruption, but the accusations were not confirmed.

On September 21, Yeltsin addressed the people and announced that the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Council was losing its powers due to its inactivity and sabotage of constitutional reform. Temporary management bodies were introduced. Elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation have been called.

In response to the actions of the President, the Supreme Council issued a resolution on the immediate removal of Yeltsin and the transfer of his functions to Vice President A.V. Rutsky. This was followed by an appeal to the citizens of the Russian Federation, the peoples of the commonwealth, deputies of all levels, military personnel and law enforcement officers, which called for stopping the attempted “coup d’etat.” The organization of the security headquarters of the House of Soviets also began.

Siege

On the same day, at approximately 20:45, a spontaneous rally gathered under the walls of the White House, and the construction of barricades began.

In the morning there were about 1,500 people near the White House; by the end of the day there were several thousand. Volunteer groups began to form.

The heads of administrations and security officials mostly supported Boris Yeltsin. Bodies of representative power - Khasbulatov and Rutskoi. Rutskoi issued decrees, and Yeltsin, with his decrees, declared all of them invalid.

On September 23, the government decided to disconnect the House of Soviets building from heating, electricity and telecommunications. The security of the Supreme Council was issued machine guns, pistols and ammunition for them. Late in the evening of the same day, a group of armed supporters of the Armed Forces attacked the headquarters of the joint armed forces of the CIS. Two people died.

The president's supporters used the attack as a reason to increase pressure on those holding the blockade near the Supreme Council building.

In the evening of the same day, an extraordinary extraordinary Congress of People's Deputies opened.

On September 24, the Congress recognized President Boris Yeltsin as illegitimate and approved all personnel appointments made by Alexander Rutsky.

September 28. At night, employees of the Moscow Central Internal Affairs Directorate blocked the entire territory adjacent to the House of Soviets. All approaches were blocked with barbed wire and sprinklers. The passage of people and transport has been completely stopped. Throughout the day, numerous rallies and riots of supporters of the Armed Forces occurred near the cordon ring.

September 29. The cordon was extended all the way to the Garden Ring. Residential buildings and social facilities were cordoned off. By order of the head of the Armed Forces, journalists were no longer allowed into the building. Colonel General Makashov warned from the balcony of the House of Soviets that if the perimeter of the fence was violated, fire would be opened without warning. In the evening, the demand of the Russian government was announced, in which Alexander Rutsky and Ruslan Khasbulatov were asked to withdraw from the building and disarm all their supporters by October 4 under a guarantee of personal safety and amnesty.

September 30th. At night, a message was circulated that the Supreme Council was allegedly planning to carry out armed attacks on strategic targets. Armored vehicles were sent to the House of Soviets. In response, Rutskoy ordered the commander of the 39th Motorized Rifle Division, Major General Frolov, to move two regiments to Moscow. In the morning, demonstrators began to arrive in small groups. Despite the completely peaceful behavior, the police and riot police continued to brutally disperse the protesters, which further aggravated the situation.

October 1st. At night, in the St. Danilov Monastery, with the assistance of Patriarch Alexy, negotiations between the parties took place. Yuri Luzhkov, Oleg Filatov and Oleg Soskovets spoke for the president. Ramazan Abdulatipov and Veniamin Sokolov arrived from the Council. As a result of the negotiations, Protocol No. 1 was signed, according to which the defenders handed over some of the weapons in the building in exchange for electricity, heating and working telephones. Immediately after the signing of the Protocol, heating was turned on in the White House, electricity was installed, and hot food began to be prepared in the dining room. About 200 journalists were allowed into the building. It was possible to enter and exit the besieged building relatively freely.

2 October. The Military Council, headed by Ruslan Khasbulatov, denounced Protocol No. 1. The negotiations were called “nonsense” and a “screen.” He insisted that he must personally negotiate directly with President Yeltsin. After the denunciation, the power supply to the building was again cut off, and power was strengthened. access mode.

Assault on Ostankino

October 3. At 14-00 a rally of thousands took place on Oktyabrskaya Square. Despite attempts, riot police are unable to dislodge the Protestants. Having broken through the cordon, the crowd moved in the direction Crimean bridge and further. The Moscow Central Internal Affairs Directorate sent 350 internal troops to Zubovskaya Square and tried to cordon off the protesters. But within a few minutes they were crushed and pushed back, capturing 10 military trucks. An hour later, from the balcony of the White House, Rutskoy calls on the crowd to storm the Moscow City Hall and the Ostankino television center. A crowd of thousands, having broken through the cordon, begins to move towards White House. The riot police who moved to the mayor's office open fire. 7 protesters were killed and dozens were injured. 2 police officers were also killed. At 16-00 Boris Yeltsin signs a decree introducing a state of emergency in the city. But the Protestants, led by the appointed Minister of Defense, Colonel General Albert Makashov, seize the Moscow City Hall. Riot police and internal troops were forced to retreat and in a hurry left 10-15 buses and tented trucks, 4 armored personnel carriers and even a grenade launcher. At 5 p.m., a column of several hundred volunteers in captured trucks and armored personnel carriers, armed with automatic weapons and even a grenade launcher, arrives at the television center. In the form of an ultimatum they demand to provide a live broadcast. At the same time, armored personnel carriers of the Dzerzhinsky division, as well as special forces units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs “Vityaz”, arrive at Ostankino. Long negotiations begin with the security of the television center. While they are dragging on, other detachments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and internal troops arrive at the building. At 19-00. Ostankino is guarded by approximately 480 armed soldiers from different units. Continuing the spontaneous rally, demanding to be given airtime, the protesters attempted to break down the glass doors of the ASK-3 building with a truck. They succeed only partially. Makashov warns that if fire is opened, the protesters will respond with the grenade launcher they have. During the negotiations, one of the general's guards is wounded by a firearm. While the wounded man was being carried out to the ambulance, explosions were simultaneously heard near the demolished doors and inside the building, presumably from an unknown explosive device. A special forces soldier dies. After this, indiscriminate fire was opened on the crowd. In the approaching twilight, no one knew who to shoot at. They killed Protestants, journalists, and simply sympathizers trying to pull out the wounded.

But the worst thing began later. In panic, the crowd tried to hide in Oak Grove, but there the security forces surrounded them in a tight ring and began shooting them at point-blank range from armored vehicles. Officially, 46 people died. Hundreds of wounded. But perhaps there were many more victims. At 20:45 Yegor Gaidar addresses supporters of President Yeltsin on television with a call to gather near the Moscow City Council building. From among those who arrive, people with combat experience are selected and volunteer detachments are formed. Shoigu guarantees that people will receive weapons if necessary. At 23-00 Makashov gives the order to his people to retreat to the House of Soviets.

White House shooting

On October 4, 1993, at night, Gennady Zakharov’s plan to seize the House of Soviets was heard and approved. It included the use of armored vehicles and even tanks. The assault was scheduled for 7-00 am. Due to the confusion and lack of coordination of all actions, conflicts occur between the Taman division that arrived in Moscow, armed people from the “Union of Afghan Veterans” and Dzerzhinsky’s division. In total, 10 tanks, 20 armored vehicles and approximately 1,700 personnel were involved in the shooting of the White House in Moscow. Only officers and sergeants were recruited into the detachments.

On the night before the shooting in October near the Moscow City Council, Yegor Gaidar, using television, which was completely controlled by the Yeltsin group, gathered crowds of “liberal democrats” and from the balcony called for the killing of “red-brown” deputies and defenders - “these pigs who call themselves Russian and Orthodox” .

The assault was scheduled for 7-00 am. The first to die from a bullet wound was the police captain, who was on the balcony of the Ukraina Hotel and filmed the events taking place on a video camera.

5 infantry fighting vehicles, crushing the barricades, enter the square in front of the White House. Armored vehicles open aimed fire at the windows of the building. Under cover of fire, fighters of the Tula Airborne Division are approaching the House of Soviets. The defenders shoot at the military. A fire started on the 12th and 13th floors. The tanks began to fire at the upper floors. A total of 12 shells were fired. Later it was claimed that the shooting was carried out with blanks, but judging by the destruction, the shells were live.

At 11:25 artillery fire resumed again. Despite the danger, crowds of curious people begin to gather around. There were even women and children among the onlookers. 192 victims of the White House shooting have already been admitted to hospitals, 18 of whom have died.

Alexander Korzhakov’s book “Boris Yeltsin: From Dawn to Dusk” reports that when Yeltsin scheduled the seizure of the White House at 7 a.m. on October 4 with the arrival of tanks, the Alpha group refused to storm, considering everything that was happening unconstitutional, and demanded an opinion from the Constitutional Court Russia.

Then “unknown” snipers began shooting at the opposing sides in the back. According to operational information received at that time by various organizations, there was a message that “these were snipers from international intelligence services, who, under the guise of athletes, were placed in the Ukraine Hotel, from where they fired aimed fire.”

At 15:00, these snipers open fire from high-rise buildings adjacent to the House of Soviets. They shoot at civilians. Two journalists and a woman passing by are killed.

The special forces units "Vympel" and "Alpha" are given the order to storm the building. But contrary to the order, the group commanders decide to make an attempt to negotiate a peaceful surrender. Later, the special forces will be punished for this arbitrariness.

An hour later, a man in camouflage enters the room and leads about 100 people out through the emergency exit, promising that they are not in danger. The special forces commanders manage to persuade the defenders to surrender. About 700 people left the building along a lively corridor of security forces with their hands raised. They were all put on buses and taken to filtration points.

Still in the House, Khasbulatov, Rutskaya and Makashov asked for protection from the ambassadors of Western European countries. But they were detained and sent to pre-trial detention center in Lefortovo.

Historical assessment of the storming of the White House

Today there are different assessments of the events of “Bloody October”. Data on the number of deaths also vary. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, 148 people died during the White House shooting in October 1993. Other sources give figures from 500 to 1,500 people.

Even more people could have become victims of executions in the first hours after the end of the assault. Witnesses claim to have seen the beatings and executions of detained Protestants.

According to the testimony of deputy Baronenko, about 300 people were shot without trial at the Krasnaya Presnya stadium. The driver who transported the corpses after the shooting of the White House claimed that he was forced to make two trips. The bodies were taken to the forest near Moscow, where they were buried in common graves without identification.

It has already become known today that the officers who took part in the storming of the Supreme Soviet of Russia were paid 5 million rubles (approximately 4,200 US dollars at the exchange rate of that time) each as a reward, riot police were given 200 thousand rubles (approximately 330 dollars) twice, private received 100 thousand rubles and so on.

In total, over 11 billion rubles (9 million US dollars) were spent on encouraging those who “especially distinguished themselves” - this is exactly the amount that was taken out of the Moscow Gosznak factory (most of this money “disappeared”!)

Confrontation legislative And executive power in Russia ended with bloody events in October 1993. One of the main reasons for the conflict was the fundamental difference of views on the issue of socio-economic And political course of Russia. The government headed by B.N. Yeltsin and E.T. Gaidar acted as a defender of radical market reforms, and the Supreme Council of the RSFSR headed by R.I. Khasbulatov and Vice-President of Russia A.B. Rutskoi resisted reforms, opposing the market regulated economy.

In December 1992 V.S. Chernomyrdin

replaced by E.T. Gaidar as head of government. But the expected change of course did not happen; only some adjustments were made to the monetarist course, which caused even greater indignation among legislators. The political situation in Russia in 1993 became increasingly tense.

An important reason for the growing antagonism between the two branches of government was their lack of experience in interaction within the framework of the system of separation of powers, which Russia practically did not know.

The Russian president was the first to strike at a political opponent. In a TV appearance September 21 he announced termination of powers of the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Council. At the same time, the presidential decree “On phased constitutional reform in the Russian Federation” came into force. It actually introduced temporary presidential rule and meant a radical breakdown of the entire existing state-political and constitutional system.

The Supreme Council, located in the White House, refused to obey the presidential decree and equated it to a coup d'etat. On the night of September 21-22, the Supreme Council took the oath of office as President of the Russian Federation Vice President A. Rutsky. On September 22, the Supreme Council decided to supplement the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation with an article punishing unconstitutional activities, failure to comply with its decisions and the Congress, and obstruction of its activities “up to and including execution.” On the same day, the White House security service began distributing weapons to civilians.

Over the course of 10 days, the confrontation between the executive and legislative branches of government developed increasingly. September 27 - 28 The blockade of the White House began, surrounded by police and riot police. On the night of October 3-4, bloody skirmishes took place near and inside the television buildings; television broadcasts were interrupted, but attacks by the Supreme Council detachments were repulsed. By decree of B.N. Yeltsin in Moscow was introduced state of emergency, government troops began entering the capital. Yeltsin declared the White House's actions an “armed fascist-communist rebellion.”

On the morning of October 4 government troops began siege And tank attack on the White House. By the evening of the same day, it was captured, and its leadership, led by R. Khasbulatov and A. Rutsky, was arrested.

As a result of the storming of the White House, there were casualties on both sides, and, undoubtedly, October 1993 became a tragic page in Russian history. The blame for this tragedy lies on the shoulders of Russian politicians, who clashed in the fall of 1993 not only in fighting for their political goals, but also, to no lesser extent, in power struggle.

In September 1993 B.N. Yeltsin issued a Decree, according to which, in July 1994, early presidential elections. In the statement of the President of the Russian Federation dated October 8, i.e. After the defeat of the opposition, it was confirmed that elections to the highest legislative body would take place in December.

The confrontation between the two branches of Russian government, which has lasted since the collapse of the USSR - the executive in the person of Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the legislative in the form of parliament (the Supreme Council (SC) of the RSFSR), headed by Ruslan Khasbulatov, around the pace of reforms and methods of building a new state, October 3-4, 1993 year and ended with a tank shelling of the seat of parliament - the House of Soviets (White House).

According to the conclusion of the State Duma Commission for additional study and analysis of the events that took place in the city of Moscow on September 21 - October 5, 1993, the initial cause and grave consequences of them were the preparation and publication by Boris Yeltsin of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of September 21 No. 1400 "On the phased constitutional reform in Russian Federation", voiced in his television address to the citizens of Russia on September 21, 1993 at 20.00. The Decree, in particular, ordered to interrupt the implementation of legislative, administrative and control functions by the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation, not to convene the Congress of People's Deputies, and also to terminate the powers of people's deputies of the Russian Federation.

30 minutes after Yeltsin’s television message, Chairman of the Supreme Council (SC) Ruslan Khasbulatov spoke on television. He qualified Yeltsin's actions as a coup d'etat.

On the same day at 22.00, at an emergency meeting of the Presidium of the Supreme Court, a resolution was adopted “On the immediate termination of the powers of the President of the Russian Federation B.N. Yeltsin.”

At the same hours, an emergency meeting of the Constitutional Court (CC) began, chaired by Valery Zorkin. The court concluded that this decree violates the Constitution and is the basis for the removal of President Yeltsin from office. After the conclusion of the Constitutional Court was delivered to the Supreme Council, it, continuing its meeting, adopted a resolution entrusting the execution of presidential powers to Vice President Alexander Rutsky. The country entered into an acute political crisis.

On September 23 at 22.00, the extraordinary (extraordinary) X Congress of People's Deputies opened in the building of the Supreme Council. By order of the government, telephone communications and electricity were cut off in the building. The congress participants voted to terminate Yeltsin's powers and assigned Vice President Alexander Rutsky to act as president. The congress appointed the main "power ministers" - Viktor Barannikov, Vladislav Achalov and Andrei Dunaev.

To protect the Armed Forces building, additional security units were formed from among volunteers, the members of which, with a special permit, were issued firearms that belonged to the Armed Forces Security Department.

On September 27, the building of the Supreme Council was surrounded by a continuous ring of police officers and internal troops, and a barbed wire fence was installed around the building. The passage of people, vehicles (including ambulances), food and medicine into the cordoned off zone was virtually stopped.

On September 29, President Yeltsin and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin demanded that Khasbulatov and Rutskoi withdraw people from the White House and surrender their weapons by October 4.

On October 1, at the St. Daniel Monastery, through the mediation of Patriarch Alexy II, negotiations began between representatives of the governments of Russia and Moscow and the Supreme Council. Electricity was turned on in the building of the Supreme Council, and water began to flow.
At night, a protocol was signed at the mayor’s office on the gradual “removal of the tension of the confrontation,” which was the result of negotiations.

On October 2 at 13.00 a rally of supporters of the Armed Forces began on Smolenskaya Square in Moscow. There were clashes between demonstrators and police and riot police. During the unrest, the Garden Ring near the Foreign Ministry building was blocked for several hours.

On October 3, the conflict acquired an avalanche-like character. The opposition rally, which began at 14.00 on Oktyabrskaya Square, attracted tens of thousands of people. Having broken through the riot police barriers, the rally participants moved to the White House and unblocked it.

At about 16.00, Alexander Rutskoy called from the balcony to storm the city hall and Ostankino.

By 5 p.m., demonstrators stormed several floors of City Hall. When breaking through the cordon in the area of ​​the Moscow City Hall, police officers used lethal firearms against the demonstrators.

At about 19.00 the assault on the Ostankino television center began. At 19.40 all TV channels interrupted their broadcasts. After a short break, the second channel went on air, working from a backup studio. The demonstrators' attempt to take over the television center was unsuccessful.
At 22.00, Boris Yeltsin’s decree on introducing a state of emergency in Moscow and releasing Rutskoi from his duties as Vice President of the Russian Federation was broadcast on television. The deployment of troops to Moscow began.

On October 4, at 7:30 a.m., the operation to clear the White House began. Large-caliber weapons are being fired. At about 10.00 the tanks began shelling the Armed Forces building, causing a fire there.

At about 13.00, the defenders of the Armed Forces began to leave, and the wounded began to be carried out of the parliament building.

At about 6 p.m., White House defenders announced the cessation of resistance. Alexander Rutskoy, Ruslan Khasbulatov and other leaders of the armed resistance of supporters of the Supreme Council were arrested.

At 19.30, the Alpha group took 1,700 journalists, members of the Armed Forces, city residents and deputies under guard and evacuated from the building.

According to the conclusions of the State Duma Commission, according to a rough estimate, in the events of September 21 - October 5, 1993, about 200 people were killed or died from their injuries and at least 1,000 people were injured or other bodily harm of varying degrees of severity.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

The economic and political crisis that began in the 80s of the 20th century in the USSR intensified significantly in the 90s and led to a number of global and radical changes in the territorial and political system of one sixth of the land, then called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and its collapse .

It was a period of intense political strife and confusion. Supporters of maintaining a strong central government came into conflict with supporters of decentralization and sovereignty of the republics.

On November 6, 1991, Boris Yeltsin, who by that time had been elected to the post of President of the RSFSR, by his decree stopped the activities of the Communist Party in the republic.

On December 25, 1991, the last President of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, spoke on central television. He announced his resignation. At 19:38 Moscow time, the USSR flag was lowered from the Kremlin, and after almost 70 years of existence, the Soviet Union disappeared forever from the political map of the world. A new era has begun.

Crisis of dual power

Confusion and chaos, which always accompany changes in the political system, did not bypass the formation of the Russian Federation. At the same time as the Congress of People's Deputies retained broad powers, the post of President was established. Dual power arose in the state. The country demanded rapid changes, but the President, before adoption new edition the basic law was greatly limited in power. According to the old Soviet Constitution, most of the powers were in the hands of the highest legislative body - the Supreme Council.

Parties to the conflict

On one side of the confrontation was Boris Yeltsin. He was supported by the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by Viktor Chernomyrdin, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, a small part of deputies, as well as security forces.

On the other side was the bulk of the people's representatives and members of the Supreme Council, headed by Ruslan Khasbulatov and Alexander Rutsky, who served as vice president. Among their supporters, the majority were communist deputies and members of nationalist parties.

Causes

The President and his associates advocated for the rapid adoption of a new basic law and strengthening the influence of the President. The majority were supporters of “shock therapy”. They wanted the speedy implementation of economic reforms and a complete change in all power structures. Their opponents advocated that all power should remain with the Congress of People's Deputies, and also against hasty reforms. An additional reason was the reluctance of the Congress to ratify the treaties signed in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. And supporters of the Council believed that the president’s team was simply trying to blame their failures in economic reform on them. After lengthy and fruitless negotiations, the conflict reached a dead end.

Open confrontation

On March 20, 1993, Yeltsin spoke on central television about the signing of decree No. 1400 “On phased constitutional reform in the Russian Federation.” It provided for management procedures during the transition period. This decree also provided for the termination of the powers of the Supreme Council and the holding of a referendum on a number of issues. The President argued that all attempts to establish cooperation with the Supreme Council had failed, and to overcome the protracted crisis he was forced to take certain measures. But later it turned out that Yeltsin never signed the decree.

On March 28, the Congress considers the proposal to impeach the President and dismiss the head of the Council, Khasbulatov. Both proposals did not receive the required number of votes. In particular, 617 deputies voted for Yeltsin’s impeachment, and at least 689 votes were needed. The draft resolution on holding early elections was also rejected.

Referendum and constitutional reform

On April 25, 1993, a referendum was held. There were four questions on the ballot. The first two are about trust in the President and the policies he pursues. The last two are about the need for early elections of the President and deputies. The respondents answered positively to the first two, but the latter did not receive the required number of votes. The draft of the new version of the Constitution of the Russian Federation was published in the Izvestia newspaper on April 30.

Escalation of confrontation

On September 1, President Boris Yeltsin issued a decree on the temporary removal of A. V. Rutsky from his position. The Vice President constantly sharply criticized the decisions made by the President. Rutskoi was accused of corruption, but the accusations were not confirmed. Besides decision did not comply with the norms of the current law.

On September 21 at 19:55 the Presidium of the Supreme Council received the text of Decree No. 1400. And at 20-00 Yeltsin addressed the people and announced that the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Council were losing their powers due to their inactivity and sabotage. Temporary management bodies were introduced. The Russian Federation was appointed.

In response to the actions of the President, the Supreme Council issued a resolution on the immediate removal of Yeltsin and the transfer of his functions to Vice President A.V. Rutsky. This was followed by an appeal to the citizens of the Russian Federation, the peoples of the commonwealth, deputies of all levels, military personnel and law enforcement officers, which called for stopping the attempted “coup d’etat.” The organization of the security headquarters of the House of Soviets also began.

Siege

At approximately 8:45 p.m., a spontaneous rally was gathering near the White House, and the construction of barricades began.

On September 22 at 00-25 Rutskoi announced his assumption of office as President of the Russian Federation. In the morning there were about 1,500 people near the White House; by the end of the day there were several thousand. Volunteer groups began to form. Dual power arose in the country. The heads of administrations and security officials mostly supported Boris Yeltsin. Bodies of representative power - Khasbulatov and Rutskoi. The latter issued decrees, and Yeltsin, with his decrees, declared all his decrees invalid.

On September 23, the government decided to disconnect the House of Soviets building from heating, electricity and telecommunications. The security of the Supreme Council was issued machine guns, pistols and ammunition for them.

Late in the evening of the same day, a group of armed supporters of the Armed Forces attacked the headquarters of the joint armed forces of the CIS. Two people died. The president's supporters used the attack as a reason to increase pressure on those holding the blockade near the Supreme Council building.

At 22-00 the extraordinary extraordinary Congress of People's Deputies opened.

On September 24, the Congress recognized President Boris Yeltsin as illegitimate and approved all personnel appointments made by Alexander Rutsky.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Government S. Shakhrai said that people's deputies had become virtually hostages of armed extremist groups forming in the building.

September 28. At night, employees of the Moscow Central Internal Affairs Directorate blocked the entire territory adjacent to the House of Soviets. All approaches were blocked with barbed wire and sprinklers. The passage of people and transport has been completely stopped. Throughout the day, numerous rallies and riots of supporters of the Armed Forces occurred near the cordon ring.

September 29. The cordon was extended all the way to the Garden Ring. Residential buildings and social facilities were cordoned off. By order of the head of the Armed Forces, journalists were no longer allowed into the building. Colonel General Makashov warned from the balcony of the House of Soviets that if the perimeter of the fence was violated, fire would be opened without warning.

In the evening, the demand of the Russian government was announced, in which Alexander Rutsky and Ruslan Khasbulatov were asked to withdraw from the building and disarm all their supporters by October 4 under a guarantee of personal safety and amnesty.

September 30th. At night, a message was circulated that the Supreme Council was allegedly planning to carry out armed attacks on strategic targets. Armored vehicles were sent to the House of Soviets. In response, Rutskoy ordered the commander of the 39th Motorized Rifle Division, Major General Frolov, to move two regiments to Moscow.

In the morning, demonstrators began to arrive in small groups. Despite the completely peaceful behavior, the police and riot police continued to brutally disperse the protesters, which further aggravated the situation.

October 1st. At night, negotiations took place in the St. Danilov Monastery with the assistance of Patriarch Alexy. The president's side was represented by: Oleg Filatov and Oleg Soskovets. Ramazan Abdulatipov and Veniamin Sokolov arrived from the Council. As a result of the negotiations, Protocol No. 1 was signed, according to which the defenders handed over some of the weapons in the building in exchange for electricity, heating and working telephones. Immediately after the signing of the Protocol, heating was turned on in the White House, electricity was installed, and hot food began to be prepared in the dining room. About 200 journalists were allowed into the building. It was possible to enter and exit the besieged building relatively freely.

2 October. The Military Council led by denounced Protocol No. 1. The negotiations were called “nonsense” and a “screen.” An important role in this was played by the personal ambitions of Khasbulatov, who was afraid of losing power in the Supreme Council. He insisted that he must personally negotiate directly with President Yeltsin.

After the denunciation, the power supply in the building was again cut off, and access control was tightened.

Attempted capture of Ostankino

14-00. A rally of thousands is being held on Oktyabrskaya Square. Despite attempts, riot police are unable to dislodge the Protestants from the square. Having broken through the cordon, the crowd moved towards the Crimean Bridge and beyond. The Moscow Central Internal Affairs Directorate sent 350 internal troops to Zubovskaya Square and tried to cordon off the protesters. But within a few minutes they were crushed and pushed back, capturing 10 military trucks.

15-00. From the balcony of the White House, Rutskoy calls on the crowd to storm the Moscow City Hall and the Ostankino television center.

15-25. A crowd of thousands, having broken through the cordon, is moving towards the White House. The riot police who moved to the mayor's office open fire. 7 protesters were killed and dozens were injured. 2 police officers were also killed.

16-00. Boris Yeltsin signs a decree introducing a state of emergency in the city.

16-45. Protestants, led by the appointed Minister of Defense, Colonel General, seize the Moscow City Hall. Riot police and internal troops were forced to retreat and in a hurry left 10-15 buses and tented trucks, 4 armored personnel carriers and even a grenade launcher.

17-00. A column of several hundred volunteers in captured trucks and armored personnel carriers, armed with automatic weapons and even a grenade launcher, arrives at the television center. In the form of an ultimatum they demand to provide a live broadcast.

At the same time, armored personnel carriers of the Dzerzhinsky division, as well as special forces units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs "Vityaz" arrive at Ostankino.

Long negotiations begin with the security of the television center. While they are dragging on, other detachments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and internal troops arrive at the building.

19-00. Ostankino is guarded by approximately 480 armed soldiers from different units.

Continuing the spontaneous rally, demanding to be given airtime, the protesters attempted to break down the glass doors of the ASK-3 building with a truck. They succeed only partially. Makashov warns that if fire is opened, the protesters will respond with the grenade launcher they have. During the negotiations, one of the general's guards is wounded by a firearm. While the wounded man was being carried out to the ambulance, explosions were simultaneously heard near the demolished doors and inside the building, presumably from an unknown explosive device. A special forces soldier dies. After this, indiscriminate fire was opened on the crowd. In the approaching twilight, no one knew who to shoot at. They killed Protestants, journalists, and simply sympathizers trying to pull out the wounded. But the worst thing began later. In panic, the crowd tried to hide in Oak Grove, but there the security forces surrounded them in a tight ring and began shooting them at point-blank range from armored vehicles. Officially, 46 people died. Hundreds of wounded. But perhaps there were many more victims.

20-45. E. Gaidar appeals on television to supporters of President Yeltsin with a call to gather near the Mossovet building. From among those who arrive, people with combat experience are selected and volunteer detachments are formed. Shoigu guarantees that people will receive weapons if necessary.

23-00. Makashov orders his people to retreat to the House of Soviets.

White House shooting

October 4, At night, Gennady Zakharov’s plan to seize the House of Soviets was heard and approved. It included the use of armored vehicles and even tanks. The assault was scheduled for 7-00 am.

Due to the chaos and lack of coordination of all actions, conflicts occur between the Taman division that arrived in Moscow, armed people from the “Union of Afghan Veterans” and Dzerzhinsky’s division.

In total, 10 tanks, 20 armored vehicles and approximately 1,700 personnel were involved in the shooting of the White House in Moscow (1993). Only officers and sergeants were recruited into the detachments.

5-00. Yeltsin issues Decree No. 1578 “On urgent measures to ensure the state of emergency in Moscow.”

6-50. The shooting of the White House began (year: 1993). The first to die from a bullet wound was the police captain, who was on the balcony of the Ukraina Hotel and filmed the events taking place on a video camera.

7-25. 5 infantry fighting vehicles, crushing the barricades, enter the square in front of the White House.

8-00. Armored vehicles open aimed fire at the windows of the building. Under cover of fire, fighters of the Tula Airborne Division are approaching the House of Soviets. The defenders shoot at the military. A fire started on the 12th and 13th floors.

9-20. The shooting of the White House from tanks continues. They began to fire at the upper floors. A total of 12 shells were fired. Later it was claimed that the shooting was carried out with blanks, but judging by the destruction, the shells were live.

11-25. Artillery fire resumed again. Despite the danger, crowds of curious people begin to gather around. There were even women and children among the onlookers. Despite the fact that 192 victims of the White House shooting have already been admitted to hospitals, 18 of whom have died.

15-00. Unknown snipers open fire from high-rise buildings adjacent to the House of Soviets. They also shoot at civilians. Two journalists and a woman passing by are killed.

The special forces units “Vympel” and “Alpha” are given the order to storm. But contrary to the order, the group commanders decide to make an attempt to negotiate a peaceful surrender. Later, the special forces will be secretly punished for this arbitrariness.

16-00. A man in camouflage enters the room and leads about 100 people out through the emergency exit, promising that they are not in danger.

17-00. The special forces commanders manage to persuade the defenders to surrender. About 700 people left the building along a lively corridor of security forces with their hands raised. They were all put on buses and taken to filtration points.

17-30. Still in the House, Khasbulatov, Rutskaya and Makashov asked for protection from the ambassadors of Western European countries.

19-01. They were detained and sent to the pre-trial detention center in Lefortovo.

Results of the storming of the White House

Very different assessments and opinions now exist about the events of “Bloody October”. Data on the number of deaths also vary. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, 148 people died during the White House shooting in October 1993. Other sources give figures from 500 to 1,500 people. Even more people could have become victims of executions in the first hours after the end of the assault. Witnesses claim to have observed the beatings and executions of detained Protestants. According to the testimony of deputy Baronenko, about 300 people were shot without trial at the Krasnaya Presnya stadium alone. The driver who transported the corpses after the shooting of the White House (you can see photos of those bloody events in the article) claimed that he was forced to make two trips. The bodies were taken to the forest near Moscow, where they were buried in common graves without identification.

As a result of the armed confrontation, the Supreme Council ceased to exist as a state body. President Yeltsin asserted and strengthened his power. Undoubtedly, the shooting of the White House (you already know the year) can be interpreted as an attempted coup. It is difficult to judge who was right and who was wrong. Time will judge.

Thus ended the bloodiest page in new history Russia, which finally destroyed the remnants of Soviet power and turned the Russian Federation into a sovereign state with a presidential-parliamentary form of government.

Memory

Every year in many cities of the Russian Federation, many communist organizations, including the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, organize rallies in memory of the victims of that bloody day in the history of our country. In particular, on October 4, in the capital, citizens gather on Krasnopresenskaya Street, where a monument to the victims of the royal executioners was erected. A rally is held here, after which all its participants make their way to the White House. They are holding portraits of victims of “Yeltsinism” and flowers.

After 15 years since the shooting of the White House in 1993, a traditional rally was held on Krasnopresenskaya Street. His resolution consisted of two points:

• declare October 4 a Day of Mourning;
• erect a monument to the victims of the tragedy.

But, to our great regret, the participants of the rally and the entire Russian people did not receive an answer from the authorities.

20 years after the tragedy (in 2013), the State Duma decided to create a Commission of the Communist Party faction to verify the circumstances preceding the events of October 4, 1993. Alexander Dmitrievich Kulikov was appointed Chairman. On July 5, 2013, the first meeting of the created commission took place.

Nevertheless, Russian citizens are confident that those killed in the White House shooting in 1993 deserve more attention. Their memory must be perpetuated...