Fall of the USSR

When on Dec. 25, 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as president of the Soviet Union and the Soviet flag was lowered from the Kremlin for the last time, the USSR formally ceased to exist, but events leading to that formality had begun months before. Throughout 1991, Soviet republics withdrew from the union, and the failed coup of Aug. 19-21 was for many the final blow to unity.

Beginning with the 20th anniversary of the coup and continuing over the next few months, RBTH will explore the causes of the Soviet collapse along with its consequences and how it is seen today.