Tanks on Moscow’s Streets During October 1993 Revolt

In early October 1993, there was a major stand-off between the supporters of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who was backed by the Council of Ministers (Government), and the leaders of the Supreme Soviet (Parliament), supported by most People’s Deputies (Members of Parliament). The Supreme Soviet’s supporters began to stage protests, and barricades were built on the streets of Moscow. Photo: October 3, 1993. Parliament supporters on the Garden Ring.

Self-defense units comprising volunteers were established at the Supreme Soviet building.

President Yeltsin’s opponents tried to seize Moscow City Hall and the Ostankino Television Center. Photo: October 3, 1993. Attack on the Ostankino Television Center.

On October 3, 1993, President Yeltsin signed a decree declaring a state of emergency in Moscow. Photo: October 3, 1993. Government forces near the Supreme Soviet building.

In the early hours of October 4, President Yeltsin decided to seize the Supreme Soviet building. Tanks of the Taman Division arrived in Moscow.

The attack on the Supreme Soviet building involved about 1,700 officers and soldiers, ten tanks and 20 armored personnel carriers.

Muscovites watched the conflict from rooftops.

President Yeltsin called the events in Moscow “a premeditated coup and an armed revolt doomed to failure.” The opposition’s resistance was crushed by the evening of October 4. Photo: October 4, 1993. Soldiers of the Russian Interior Ministry’s Alpha Special Weapons and Tactics Unit guard entrance to the Supreme Soviet building.

More than 100 people were killed during the conflict. The leaders of forces defending the Supreme Soviet building, including Alexander Rutskoi, Ruslan Khasbulatov and others, were arrested. President Yeltsin maintained direct presidential rule in the country pending elections to the Federal Assembly (Parliament) and a referendum on the Russian Constitution. State Duma elections were held on December 12, 1993.