State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR (GKChP USSR). GKChP - decoding State Committee for the State of Emergency

DECREE
Vice President of the USSR

Due to the impossibility for health reasons of Gorbachev's performance of his duties as the President of the USSR, on the basis of Article 1277 of the Constitution of the USSR, he assumed the duties of the President of the USSR from August 19, 1991.

Vice President of the USSR
G. I. Yanaev

Appeal
to the Soviet people
August 18, 1991

Compatriots!
citizens Soviet Union!

In a difficult, critical hour for the fate of the Fatherland and our peoples, we turn to you!

Over our great Motherland hung deadly danger! The policy of reforms initiated by MS Gorbachev, conceived as a means of ensuring the country's dynamic development and democratization of public life, has reached a dead end for a number of reasons. The initial enthusiasm and hopes were replaced by disbelief, apathy and despair. The authorities at all levels have lost the trust of the population. Politicism has ousted concern for the fate of the Fatherland and the citizen from public life. An evil mockery is being imposed on all the institutions of the state. The country essentially became ungovernable.

Taking advantage of the freedoms granted, trampling on the newly emerging sprouts of democracy, extremist forces arose, heading for the liquidation of the Soviet Union, the collapse of the state, and the seizure of power at any cost. The results of the nationwide referendum on the unity of the Fatherland have been trampled on. Cynical speculation on national feelings is just a front to satisfy ambitions. Neither today's misfortunes of their peoples, nor their tomorrow disturb political adventurers. Creating an atmosphere of moral and political terror and trying to hide behind a shield of popular confidence, they forget that the ties they condemn and break were established on the basis of much broader popular support, which, moreover, has passed the centuries-old test of history. Today, those who are essentially leading the cause to overthrow the constitutional order, Must answer to their mothers and fathers for the deaths of many hundreds of victims of interethnic conflicts. The crippled fates of more than half a million refugees are on their conscience. Because of them, tens of millions of Soviet people lost peace and joy of life, who only yesterday lived in a single family, and today found themselves outcasts in their own home. What kind of social system should be decided by the people, and they are trying to deprive them of this right.

Instead of taking care of the safety and well-being of every citizen and the whole society, often people who have power in their hands use it in interests alien to the people, as a means of unprincipled self-assertion. Streams of words, mountains of statements and promises only emphasize the poverty and wretchedness of practical deeds. Inflation of power, worse than any other, destroys our state, society. Every citizen feels a growing uncertainty about the future, deep anxiety for the future of their children.

The crisis of power had a catastrophic effect on the economy. A chaotic, spontaneous slip to the market caused an explosion of egoism - regional, departmental, group and personal. The war of laws and the encouragement of centrifugal tendencies resulted in the destruction of a single national economic mechanism that had been taking shape over decades. The result was a sharp drop in the standard of living of the vast majority of Soviet people, the flourishing of speculation and the shadow economy. It is high time to tell people the truth: if urgent measures are not taken to stabilize the economy, then in the very near future, famine and a new round of impoverishment are inevitable, from which one step to mass manifestations of spontaneous discontent with devastating consequences.
Only irresponsible people can hope for some help from abroad. No handouts will solve our problems, salvation is in our own hands. The time has come to measure the authority of each person or organization by a real contribution to the restoration and development of the national economy.

For many years, from all sides, we have been hearing spells about commitment to the interests of the individual, concern for her rights, and social security. In fact, the person turned out to be humiliated, infringed on real rights and opportunities, driven to despair. Before our eyes, all democratic institutions created by the people's will are losing weight and authority. This is the result of the purposeful actions of those who grossly violate the Basic Law of the USSR, in fact commit an unconstitutional coup and reach for unbridled personal dictatorship. Prefectures, mayor's offices and other illegal structures are more and more implicitly replacing the Soviets elected by the people.

There is an attack on workers' rights. The rights to work, education, health care, housing, recreation are called into question.

Even the basic personal safety of people is increasingly being threatened. Crime is growing rapidly, organized and politicized. The country is plunging into an abyss of violence and lawlessness. Never in the history of the country have the propaganda of sex and violence, which endangered the life and health of future generations, received such a scale. Millions of people are demanding action against the octopus of crime and flagrant immorality.

The deepening destabilization of the political and economic situation in the Soviet Union is undermining our position in the world. In some places, revanchist notes have been heard, demands are being put forward to revise the borders. There are even voices about the dismemberment of the Soviet Union and about the possibility of establishing international guardianship over individual objects and regions of the country. This is the bitter reality. Just yesterday, a Soviet person who found himself abroad felt like a citizen of an influential and respected state. Now he is often a second-class foreigner, treated with contempt or sympathy.

The pride and honor of the Soviet people must be restored in full.

The State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR is fully aware of the depth of the crisis that has struck the country, it assumes responsibility for the fate of the Motherland and is determined to take the most serious measures to bring the state and society out of the crisis as soon as possible.

We promise to hold a broad nationwide discussion of the draft of the new Union Treaty. Everyone will have the right and opportunity in a calm atmosphere to comprehend this most important act and decide on it, because the fate of the numerous peoples of our great Motherland will depend on what the Union will become.

We intend to immediately restore law and order, put an end to the bloodshed, declare a merciless war on the criminal world, and eradicate shameful phenomena that discredit our society and humiliate Soviet citizens.
We will clear the streets of our cities of criminal elements, we will put an end to the arbitrariness of the plunderers of the people's property.

We stand for truly democratic processes, for a consistent policy of reforms leading to the renewal of our Motherland, to its economic and social prosperity, which will allow it to take its rightful place in the world community of nations.
The development of the country should not be based on a decline in the living standards of the population. In a healthy society, the constant improvement of the well-being of all citizens will become the norm.

Without weakening our concern for strengthening and protecting the rights of the individual, we will focus on protecting the interests of the broadest sections of the population, those who have been hit hardest by inflation, disorganization of production, corruption and crime.

Developing the diversified nature of the national economy, we will also support private enterprise, providing it with the necessary opportunities for the development of production and the service sector.

Our primary concern will be the solution of food and housing problems. All available forces will be mobilized to meet these most urgent needs of the people.

We call on the workers, peasants, working intelligentsia, all Soviet people to the shortest time to restore labor discipline and order, to raise the level of production, in order then to move decisively forward. Our life and the future of our children and grandchildren, the fate of the Fatherland depends on this.

We are a peace-loving country and will strictly comply with all our obligations. We have no claims on anyone. We want to live with everyone in peace and friendship, but we firmly declare that no one will ever be allowed to encroach on our sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Any attempts to speak with our country in the language of diktat, no matter who they come from, will be resolutely suppressed.

Our multinational people have lived for centuries filled with pride for their Motherland, we were not ashamed of our patriotic feelings and consider it natural and legitimate to raise the current and future generations of citizens of our great power in this spirit.

To be inactive at this critical hour for the fate of the Fatherland means to take heavy responsibility for the tragic, truly unpredictable consequences. Everyone who cares about our Motherland, who wants to live and work in an atmosphere of calm and confidence, who does not accept the continuation of bloody interethnic conflicts, who sees their Fatherland in the future independent and prosperous, must make the only right choice. We call on all true patriots, people of good will to put an end to the current time of troubles.

We call on all citizens of the Soviet Union to realize their duty to the Motherland and to provide all possible support to the State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR, to efforts to bring the country out of the crisis.

Constructive proposals of socio-political organizations, labor collectives and citizens will be gratefully accepted as a manifestation of their patriotic readiness to actively participate in the restoration of centuries-old friendship in a single family of fraternal peoples and the revival of the Fatherland.

Decree No. 1
State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR

In order to protect the vital interests of the peoples and citizens of the USSR, the independence and territorial integrity of the country, restore law and order, stabilize the situation, overcome the gravest crisis, prevent chaos, anarchy and fratricidal civil war The State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR decides:

1. All organs of power and administration of the USSR, union and autonomous republics, territories, regions, cities, districts, towns and villages to ensure strict observance of the state of emergency in accordance with the Law of the USSR "On the legal regime of state of emergency and the resolutions of the State Emergency Committee of the USSR. In cases of failure to ensure the implementation of this regime, the powers of the relevant authorities and administration are suspended, and the implementation of their functions is assigned to persons specially authorized by the USSR State Emergency Committee.
2. Immediately disband the structures of power and control, paramilitary formations acting contrary to the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR.
3. From now on, to consider invalid laws and decisions of authorities and administrations that contradict the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR.
4. Suspend activity political parties, public organizations and mass movements that impede the normalization of the situation.
5. Due to the fact that the State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR is temporarily assuming the functions of the USSR Security Council, the activity of the latter is suspended.
6. Citizens, institutions and organizations, immediately hand over all types of illegally located v them firearms, ammunition, explosives, military equipment and equipment. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, the KGB and the Ministry of Defense of the USSR shall ensure the strict implementation of this requirement. In cases of refusal - to seize them forcibly with the involvement of violators to strict criminal and administrative responsibility.
7. The Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the KGB and the Ministry of Defense of the USSR organize effective interaction between law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces to ensure the protection of public order and the security of the state, society and citizens in accordance with the USSR Law "On the Legal Regime of the State of Emergency" and the decisions of the USSR State Emergency Committee.
Rallies, street marches, demonstrations, as well as strikes are not allowed,
In necessary cases, impose a curfew, patrol the territory, carry out inspections, and take measures to strengthen the border and customs regime.
Take control and, if necessary, protect the most important state and economic facilities, as well as life support systems.
Resolutely suppress the spread of inflammatory rumors, actions that provoke violations of law and order and incite ethnic hatred, disobedience to officials who ensure compliance with the state of emergency.
8. Establish control over the mass media, entrusting its implementation to a specially created body under the State Emergency Committee of the USSR.
9. Authorities and authorities, heads of institutions and enterprises to take measures to improve organization, restore order and discipline in all spheres of society. To ensure the normal functioning of enterprises in all branches of the national economy, the strict implementation of measures to preserve and restore vertical and horizontal ties between economic entities throughout the USSR for the period of stabilization, failure to meet the established volumes of production, supplies of raw materials, materials and components.
Establish and maintain a regime of austerity in material, technical and foreign exchange resources, develop and implement specific measures to combat mismanagement and squandering of the people's property.
Resolutely fight against the shadow economy, inevitably apply measures of criminal and administrative responsibility for corruption, theft, speculation, concealment of goods from sale, mismanagement and other offenses in the economic sphere.
Create favorable conditions for increasing the real contribution of all kinds entrepreneurial activity carried out in accordance with the laws of the USSR in the economic potential of the country and ensure the urgent needs of the population.
10. Consider incompatible work on a permanent basis in the structures of power and management with entrepreneurial activity.
11. The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, within a week's time, carry out an inventory of all available resources of food and industrial goods of prime necessity, report to the people what the country has, and take their safety and distribution under the strictest control.
To cancel any restrictions that prevent the movement of food and consumer goods, as well as material resources for their production, through the territory of the USSR, to strictly control the observance of such an order.
Pay special attention to the priority supply of preschool children's institutions, orphanages, schools, secondary specialized and higher educational institutions, hospitals, as well as pensioners and the disabled.
Within a week, submit proposals on streamlining, freezing and lowering prices for certain types of industrial and food products, primarily for children, services to the population and public catering, as well as an increase in wages, pensions, benefits and compensation payments to various categories of citizens.
Within two weeks, develop measures to streamline the wages of managers at all levels of state, public, cooperative and other institutions, organizations and enterprises.
12. Considering the critical situation with harvesting and the threat of famine, take urgent measures to organize the procurement, storage and processing of agricultural products. To provide rural workers with the maximum possible assistance with equipment, spare parts, fuels and lubricants, etc. Immediately organize the dispatch of workers and employees of enterprises and organizations, students and military personnel to the village in the quantities necessary to save the harvest.
13. The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR within a week to develop a resolution providing for the provision in 1991-1992 of all desiring urban residents with land plots for horticultural work in the amount of up to 0.15 hectares.
14. The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR within two weeks to complete the planning of urgent measures to bring the country's fuel and energy complex out of the crisis and prepare for winter.
15. Within a month, prepare and report to the people real measures for 1992 to radically improve housing construction and provide the population with housing.
Within six months, develop a specific program for the accelerated development of state, cooperative and individual housing construction for a five-year period.
16. To oblige the authorities and administrations in the center and in the localities to give priority attention to the social needs of the population. Find ways to substantially improve free medical care and public education.

DECREE
Acting President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

On the introduction of a state of emergency in the city of Moscow

In connection with the aggravation of the situation in Moscow, the capital of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, caused by the failure to comply with the decision of the State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR No. 1 of August 19, 1991, attempts to organize rallies, street processions and demonstrations, facts of incitement to unrest, s interests protection and security of citizens, in accordance with Article 1273 of the Constitution of the USSR, I decree:

2. To appoint the commander of the troops of the Moscow Military District, Colonel-General Kalinin N.V., as the commandant of the city of Moscow, who is vested with the right to issue binding orders regulating the maintenance of the state of emergency.

Acting
President of the USSR
G. YANAEV.
Moscow Kremlin.
August 19, 1991

RESOLUTION No. 2
State Committee

On the issue of central, Moscow city and regional gas t

In connection with the introduction of a state of emergency in Moscow and in some other territories of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on August 19, 1991 and in accordance with paragraph l4 of Article 4 of the USSR Law "On the Legal Regime of the State of Emergency", the State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR decides:
1. Temporarily limit the list of issued central, Moscow city and regional socio-political
publications by the following newspapers: Trud, Rabochaya Tribuna, Izvestiya, Pravda, Krasnaya Zvezda, Sovetskaya Rossiya, Moskovskaya Pravda, Leninskoe Znamya, Rural Life.
2. The resumption of publication of other central, Moscow city and regional newspapers and socio-political publications will be decided by a specially created body of the USSR State Emergency Committee.

Statement
State Committee
on the state of emergency in the USSR

Already the first day of the state of emergency in certain areas of the USSR showed that people breathed a sigh of relief.

No serious incidents were noted anywhere. The State Emergency Committee of the USSR receives numerous appeals from citizens in support of the measures taken to bring the country out of the gravest crisis. The first reaction from abroad to the events in our country is also characterized by a certain understanding, because the worst conceivable development scenario, which worries foreign states the most, is chaos and anarchy in our nuclear country. Of course, distrust and fears are expressed both within our society and abroad in connection with the introduction of a state of emergency. Well, they have a basis: after all, in last years Unfortunately, very often real things in our state had nothing to do with the proclaimed goals. The hopes of the people were repeatedly deceived. This time we will do our best to keep the activities of the Soviet leadership; has earned trust.

Most of the Union and Autonomous Republics of our Motherland support the measures taken due to the exceptionally acute situation. The peoples understand that the USSR State Committee for the State of Emergency in no way intends to encroach on their constitutional sovereign rights.

Dissonance at this critical moment, when a national consensus is required, sounded the appeal signed on the morning of August 19 this year by the leaders of the RSFSR B. Yeltsin, I. Silaev and R. Khasbulatov. It is sustained in a confrontational spirit. There is also a direct incitement to illegal actions in this appeal, which is incompatible with the state of emergency established by law.

The State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR, showing patience and striving for constructive cooperation, considers it possible this time to confine itself to warning against irresponsible, unreasonable steps. Once again, ambition has prevailed in the Russian leadership, and yet the people are waiting for the introduction of such adjustments in policy that would meet the fundamental interests of the Russians.

We would like to emphasize once again that the principle of the supremacy of the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR has been restored from now on throughout the entire territory of the USSR. We assure you that our practice, in contrast to the empty promises that have set the teeth on edge, will certainly be supported by the implementation of the decisions taken.

The State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR (GKChP) is a self-proclaimed authority in the USSR that existed from August 18 to August 21, 1991. It included a number of high-ranking officials of the Soviet government. The members of the GKChP opposed the perestroika policy pursued by the President of the USSR M. S. Gorbachev, as well as against the signing of a new union treaty and the transformation of the USSR into a confederal Union of Sovereign States, which planned to include only 9 of the 15 union republics. The main opponents of the GKChP were supporters of the President of the RSFSR B. N. Yeltsin, who declared the actions of the members of the Committee unconstitutional. After the defeat and self-dissolution of the GKChP, their actions were condemned by the legislative and executive authorities of the USSR, the RSFSR and a number of other union republics and qualified as a coup d'état. In historiography, the events of August 18-21, 1991 were called the "August Putsch".

From August 22 to August 29, 1991, former members of the dissolved GKChP and those who actively assisted them were arrested, but from June 1992 to January 1993, they were all released on bail. In April 1993, the trial began. On February 23, 1994, the defendants in the GKChP case were amnestied State Duma Federal Assembly Russian Federation despite Yeltsin's objection. One of the defendants, Valentin Varennikov, refused to accept the amnesty and his trial continued, which he eventually won.

"Themes"

"Faces"

National Flag Day is celebrated in Rossish

date of
holiday is timed to coincide with the events of the August putsch - an attempt
coup d'etat, undertaken by the State Committee for
state of emergency (GKChP). The main goal of the GKChP was to forcibly
prevent the reorganization of the Soviet Union proposed by the President
USSR by Mikhail Gorbachev (he planned to create a "soft",
decentralized federation).
link: http://bsanna-news.ukrinform.ua/newsitem.php?id=20150&lang=ru

Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr.: Non-round date. Forgotten lessons of August-91

Another anniversary of the victory of democratic forces over organized
the top of the CPSU and the KGB by a coup d'état in August 1991
makes you think about the missed chances of the 90s. Eight years after
August, the heirs of the State Emergency Committee came to power in Russia. About the reasons for failure
leaders of the democratic revolution and the importance of historical lessons for
of today's Russian opposition is reflected by the publicist and historian Vladimir
Kara-Murza (Jr.)
link: http://www.rusolidarnost.ru

in parties and movements. Remembering the Soviet Union

rally,
announced and organized by the Labor Voronezh movement with the support of
Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Leninist Komsomol, other left-wing patriotic parties and
social movements, was held in Voronezh on the day of the 21st anniversary
formation of the State Committee for the State of Emergency (GKChP).
link: http://www.communa.ru/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=63174

Independence: what did it give?

rebellion
State Committee for the State of Emergency, which began on 19
August 1991 and subsequently called "August
putsch", was aimed at removing from power the first and last president
USSR of Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as the return to the "bosom" of the Union of Republics -
Armenia, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine, which are already
adopted declarations of state sovereignty.
link: http://www.nm.md/daily/article/2012/08/24/0900.html

State Committee for the State of Emergency

More
decades distances us from the desperate attempt of the inner circle
Gorbachev to stop the offensive of the nationalists and Yeltsin personally
collapse of the USSR. August 19, 1991 in the morning the media
put the nation on the ears with a message about the introduction of a state of emergency and about
creation of the State Committee for the State of Emergency, headed by
Vice President Yanaev. The whole country is frozen in anticipation of development
events. Only a small part of the population immediately became active.
link: http://www.cprf.info/nikitin/5010.shtml

GKChP member Vasily Starodubtsev: My assessment of the August events of 1991 remains the same

"To me
nothing to add about the State Committee for the State of Emergency and
my participation in it to what I said earlier,” said the deputy
of the State Duma Vasily Starodubtsev to the correspondent of news agency vRossii.ru in
response to a request for comment august events 1991.
link: http://www.og.com.ua/gkchp.php

Moscow celebrates 21st anniversary of August coup

19
August 1991, a group of members of the top leadership of the USSR formed
The State Committee for the State of Emergency (GKChP) and tried to
take power by isolating Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.
link: http://www.baltinfo.ru

Yesterday's coup and tomorrow's coup

Twenty years ago, in
August 1991, through the efforts of the most conservative part of the highest
of the Soviet bureaucracy, a convulsive and aggressive movement was undertaken
to preserve the political system of the USSR unchanged.
The State Committee for the State of Emergency (GKChP) undertook
an attempt to seize state power on the eve (a day) before
planned for August 20, the signing of the Novo-Ogaryovsk Union
agreements that were supposed to radically transform the Union
Soviet Socialist Republics. Essentially, these agreements were
the only chance to modernize the Soviet empire in a democratic
direction peacefully.

Forceful political decision undermined the system
finally and predictably accelerated the process of disintegration of the USSR. Essentially,
it was the GKChP putsch that closed the last opportunity for soft reform
The USSR made its rapid disintegration inevitable. The paradox of history
lies in the fact that twenty years later in the state system
Russia, formed on the ruins of the USSR, is precisely the ideology of the putschists of 1991
year is dominant. This poses extremely high risks
territorial and political disintegration of Russia.
link: http://gubernia.pskovregion.org/number_553/03.php

Prerequisites for the collapse of the USSR

But,
on the night of August 19, 1991, the President of the USSR M.S. Gorbachev was
forcibly removed from power. A group of senior officials
which included Vice President G. Yanaev, KGB Chairman V. Kryuchkov,
Defense Minister D. Yazov, Prime Minister V. Pavlov formed
self-proclaimed, unconstitutional State Committee for Emergency
situation in the USSR (GKChP).
link: http://www.bibliotekar.ru/mihail-gorbachev/71.htm

In 1991, there was an attempted coup in the USSR

19
August 1991 in the USSR there was an attempted coup d'état:
The State Committee for the State of Emergency was created in Moscow
(GKChP), which lasted until August 21, 1991.
link: http://inmsk.ru/thisday_0819/19910819/340635300.html

GKChP - patriots or junta? A sober look after 20 years on the events of August 19, 1991

I specifically raised the appeal of the USSR GKChP (State Committee
by state of emergency). Today everything is already seen soberly and
pragmatically, and I highlighted all the theses that are present in the appeal
in red is the brightest reflection of the state of society, and why
country came.
link: http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/3622599/post185021214/

1991: tragedy or victory?

19
August marks 20 years since the beginning of the events that most
Russians are now considered tragic. It was on this day that the State
State of Emergency Committee (GKChP), consisting of conservative
minded politicians, tried to remove the president of the USSR from power
Mikhail Gorbachev and change the political course in order to prevent the collapse
Soviet Union. Without a doubt, at that moment the whole country was on
brink of civil war. But, fortunately, it never happened.
link: http://www.newsinfo.ru/articles/2011-08-18/putch/759999/

The documents of the GKChP were prepared by the KGB

accusatory
conclusion on the GKChP case, fragments of which we bring to your attention
reader, - not just a unique and at the same time quite official
evidence of the turning events of national history,
but also a documentary detective that does not let go from the first to
last minute of reading. The logic and logistics of the conspiracy becomes clear
no doubt about the legitimacy or moral justification
the actions of the conspirators do not remain at all: yes, they certainly
conspirators, yes, their actions cannot be justified by higher interests
country. Strictly speaking, they did not save the country, the collapse of which only
accelerated by the creation of the State Committee for the State of Emergency
(GKChP), and their high positions in the establishment. There was no romance here
for a penny: in front of us are restless, frightened people, not completely sure
in their rightness, morally wounded by their betrayal, weak and
doubters, muffling their doubts with hefty doses of alcohol.
link:

The main opponents of the GKChP were supporters of the President of the RSFSR B. N. Yeltsin, who declared the actions of the members of the Committee unconstitutional. After the defeat and self-dissolution of the GKChP, their actions were condemned by the legislative and executive authorities of the USSR, the RSFSR and a number of other union republics and qualified as a coup d'état. In historiography, the events of August 18-21, 1991 were called "August Putsch".

20 years after these events, in August 2011, Mikhail Gorbachev stated that he knew in advance about the plans of future members of the State Emergency Committee.

In its first appeal, the GKChP assessed the general mood in the country as very skeptical about the new political course to dismantle the highly centralized federal structure of government and state regulation economy; censured negative phenomena, which new course, according to the compilers, brought to life, such as speculation and the shadow economy; proclaimed that “the development of the country should not be based on a drop in the living standards of the population” and promised a tough restoration of order in the country and a solution to the main economic problems, without mentioning, however, specific measures.

Due to the impossibility for health reasons of Gorbachev's performance of the duties of the President of the USSR and the transfer, in accordance with Article 127/7 of the Constitution of the USSR, of the powers of the President of the USSR to the Vice-President of the USSR Yanaev Gennady Ivanovich.

In order to overcome the deep and comprehensive crisis, political, interethnic and civil confrontation, chaos and anarchy that threaten the life and security of the citizens of the Soviet Union, the sovereignty, territorial integrity, freedom and independence of our state.

Based on the results, guided by the vital interests of the peoples of our Motherland, of all Soviet people

1. In accordance with Article 127/3 of the Constitution of the USSR and Article 2 of the Law of the USSR on the legal regime of the state of emergency, and meeting the demands of the general population on the need to take the most decisive measures to prevent society from slipping into a national catastrophe, to ensure law and order, introduce a state of emergency in certain localities of the USSR for a period of 6 months, from 4:00 Moscow time from August 19, 1991.

2. Establish that the Constitution of the USSR and the Laws of the USSR have unconditional supremacy throughout the territory of the USSR.

3. To govern the country and effectively implement the state of emergency, form the State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR (GKChP USSR) with the following composition:

4. Establish that the decisions of the State Committee for the State of Emergency of the USSR are obligatory for strict execution by all bodies of power and administration, officials and citizens throughout the territory of the USSR.

Following this, a statement was read on the radio by the chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, AI Lukyanov, criticizing the draft Union Treaty.

Then the official appeal of the Committee of the State Emergency Committee to the Soviet people was read out, which, in particular, said that perestroika had reached a dead end and “extremist forces arose that headed for the liquidation of the Soviet Union, the collapse of the state and the seizure of power at any cost” and about the determination The State Emergency Committee to bring the country out of the crisis, and also contained an appeal to all Soviet people "to restore labor discipline and order as soon as possible, to raise the level of production" and "to provide all possible support to efforts to bring the country out of the crisis."

Then official resolution No. 1 (GKChP) was read out, which, in particular, disbanded “power and control structures, paramilitary formations acting contrary to the Constitution of the USSR”, suspended the activities of parties and public organizations “obstructing the normalization of the situation”, introduced a ban on meetings, demonstrations and strikes and censorship of the media was introduced:

In the White House, B. N. Yeltsin refuses to cooperate with the GKChP and decides not to obey the actions of the GKChP, calling their actions unconstitutional. The leadership of the State Emergency Committee sends a tank battalion of the 1st motorized rifle regiment of the 2nd Taman division under the command of chief of staff Sergei Evdokimov to the building.

At 17:00 in Moscow, a press conference of the State Committee for the State of Emergency took place in the press center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shown on television. The members of the committee behaved uncertainly, Yanaev's hands were trembling. The words of the GKChP members were more like excuses (G. Yanaev: “Gorbachev deserves all respect ...”). Yanaev stated that the course towards democratic reforms (Perestroika) begun in 1985 would be continued, and Gorbachev was on vacation and treatment in Foros and nothing threatened him. He called Gorbachev his friend and expressed the hope that he would return to duty after the rest and they would work together.

On the evening of August 19, another story was shown on television, in which Yeltsin was shown speaking on a tank in front of the White House, where he called the GKChP putschists and called on the people to resist.

Resistance to the GKChP takes the form of rallies in Moscow near the White House and the Moscow City Council and in Leningrad near the Mariinsky Palace. On August 20, a demonstration took place in Moscow near the White House, which was the seat of the Russian authorities, bringing together 200,000 Muscovites in support of Yeltsin and democracy. Near the House of Soviets, Muscovites are building barricades in case of a possible storming of the building, a defense headquarters is being created in the White House, President of the RSFSR Yeltsin issues decrees reassigning allied forces to him executive bodies authorities and the allied army, General Kobets, appointed Minister of Defense of the RSFSR by Yeltsin, issued a decree on the withdrawal of troops from Moscow and their return to their places of permanent deployment. Inside the White House, the defense was occupied by the police, the White House guards, some police and KGB officers, Afghan veterans armed with small arms. Thousands of Muscovites formed a living ring around the White House, took up defense on the barricades to prevent a possible assault.

In Leningrad, on August 20, a 400,000-strong demonstration of protest against the coup took place on Palace Square, the entire center was filled with people and the State Emergency Committee did not dare to send troops to Leningrad, tanks and paratroop units were stopped on the outskirts of the city. During the days of the coup, hundreds of messages from the localities about their readiness to start a mass campaign of civil disobedience go to the apparatus of the Democratic Russia movement, which actively resisted the GKChP.

On the evening of August 20, a curfew is announced in Moscow. On the night of August 20-21, an incident occurs in the center of Moscow near the House of Soviets, as a result of which a motorized army patrol clashes with the defenders of the White House. As a result of clashes with demonstrators, chaotic maneuvering of armored vehicles and the use of small arms by soldiers, three defenders of the House of Soviets were killed. The assault expected by the defenders of the White House on the night of August 20-21 did not take place. By the night of August 21, there was a split in the army, the majority military units refused to carry out the orders of the State Emergency Committee, the military activity of the emergency committee came to naught. At 3 o'clock in the morning, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Marshal Shaposhnikov suggested that Minister of Defense Yazov withdraw troops from Moscow and disperse the GKChP. On the morning of August 21, the Minister of Defense of the USSR D.T. Yazov at the military board gives the order to withdraw troops from Moscow to places of permanent deployment.

At 9 am on August 21 at a meeting with and. about. President of the USSR G. I. Yanaev, it was decided to send a delegation to Foros to M. S. Gorbachev, consisting of Lukyanov, Yazov, Ivashko and Kryuchkov

Members of the dissolved GKChP and those who actively assisted them were placed in the Matrosskaya Tishina prison. On January 14, 1992, the investigation into the GKChP case was completed, and on December 7 of the same year, the case materials were transferred to the Russian Prosecutor General for approval of the indictment. Exactly a week later it was signed. By January 1993, after the end of the investigation and familiarization with the volumes of the criminal case, all the accused were released from custody under a written undertaking not to leave the country.

The trial in the GKChP case began on April 14, 1993. The process began with a speech by judge Anatoly Ukolov, who recalled that former members of the State Emergency Committee are accused of treason. The defendants began with a statement about the withdrawal of the entire composition of the Military Collegium, and Ukolov too. They motivated their statement by the fact that the Russian court is not the successor of the Supreme Court of the USSR and is not entitled to consider cases of higher ranks former USSR. The parties tried to challenge the entire composition of public prosecutors under the leadership of Eduard Denisov. Lawyers offered to consider the case in a jury trial. Genrikh Padva, Lukyanov's lawyer, opined that the judges might be interested in the case and that it would be "difficult" for a military judge to assess the testimony of his superior, Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev, who is one of the prosecution's witnesses. After a break, the military collegium rejected the petitions of the defendants and their lawyers to challenge the composition of the court. Ukolov said that the Military Collegium "sees no legal grounds" for satisfying these demands. He emphasized that the Supreme Court of Russia is the authorized successor Supreme Court THE USSR. Therefore, the petition of the defendants and their lawyers to establish a special interstate court or a jury to consider the case of the State Committee for the State of Emergency was also rejected. In conclusion, Ukolov remarked that

The events that took place from August 18 to 21, 1991, during which an attempted coup d'état was made, was called the August putsch. During this period, President Gorbachev was blocked by the top leadership of the USSR, with a further introduction of a state of emergency in the country, and the government of the country was taken over by the GKChP created by the "putschists".

What is the "August Putsch" and "GKChP"?

GKChP (State Committee for the State of Emergency) is a body (most often referred to in the form of an abbreviation) that was created by the top leadership of the USSR.

The GKChP planned to realize its goals by introducing a state of emergency in the country and blocking Gorbachev at a dacha in Crimea. At the same time, troops and special forces of the KGB were brought into Moscow.

The composition of the GKChP included almost all the leaders of the highest echelon of power:

Yanaev Gennady Ivanovich(Vice-President of the USSR, Acting President of the USSR from August 19 to August 21, 1991).

Baklanov Oleg Dmitrievich(First Deputy Chairman of the USSR Defense Council).

Kryuchkov Vladimir Alexandrovich(Chairman of the KGB of the USSR).

Pavlov Valentin Sergeevich(Prime Minister of the USSR).

Pugo Boris Karlovich(Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR).

Yazov Dmitry Timofeevich(Minister of Defense of the USSR).

Starodubtsev Vasily Alexandrovich(Member of the Central Committee of the CPSU).

Tizyakov Alexander Ivanovich(President of the Association of State Enterprises and Associations of Industry, Construction, Transport and Communications of the USSR).

As can be seen from the list of participants, the leadership of the GKChP are the first persons of the state who, according to the official hierarchy, immediately follow Gorbachev, so it can be assumed that even his closest associates were dissatisfied with Gorbachev's activities in his post. Despite the fact that vice-president Yanaev assumed the duties of the president, the actual leader of the process was the chairman of the KGB, Kryuchkov.

The period of the so-called activity of the GKChP was officially regarded and named as the August Putsch.

Attempts by the GKChP to seize power were unsuccessful, on August 22 all members of this committee were arrested, and the legitimate president took up his duties.

The political and state crisis in the USSR reached its climax by 1991, according to many experts, the state inevitably had only a few months to exist, since there was a lot, even without the creation of the State Emergency Committee, which actually acted as a catalyst for the collapse of the country.

Until now, there is no consensus in society about the State Emergency Committee and the August Putsch. Someone believes that it was an attempted coup d'état, with the aim of seizing power, and someone - that it was the last desperate attempt to save the Soviet Union from an obviously impending collapse.

Goals of the State Committee for the State of Emergency

At that time, no one had any doubts that Gorbachev's Perestroika policy was clearly a failure. The standard of living in the country deteriorated significantly: prices were constantly rising, money was depreciating, and there was a huge shortage of all kinds of goods in stores. In addition, the control of the “center” over the republics was weakening: the RSFSR already had “its own” president, and there were protest moods in the Baltic republics.

The goals of the State Emergency Committee, in fact, can be divided into two groups: state and political. The state goals included preventing the collapse of the USSR, while the political goals included improving the standard of living of the population. Let's look at these goals in more detail.

State goals

Initially, the "putschists" wanted to preserve the integrity of the USSR. The fact is that on August 20 it was planned to sign a new union treaty between the republics that are part of the USSR, which involved the creation of a confederation between these states (the Union of Sovereign States), which, in fact, meant the actual collapse of the USSR and the formation of a new union based on independent republics . This is exactly what the “GKCHPists” wanted to prevent, which such a new agreement led to, we can see on the example of the CIS, with the creation of which the Soviet Union collapsed and the republics began to exist independently of each other.

Some historians believe that main goal The GKChP was to retain its own positions, since when signing a new union treaty, their powers or positions in general would have been actually abolished. However, after the failure of the coup, Yanaev claimed that the members of the GKChP did not stick to their posts.

Political goals

The political goals of the GKChP were to carry out economic and social reforms. The people were tired of the hard life and really really wanted change, as was sung in the then popular song of V. Tsoi. The standard of living was inexorably falling, the crisis covered almost all spheres of life in the USSR, and the only way out of this situation, according to the "putschists", was to remove Gorbachev from office and change the country's political course.

The State Committee for the State of Emergency promised to freeze and reduce prices, as well as distribute land plots of 15 acres free of charge. As such, the GKChP did not announce an action plan and economic steps, most likely, they simply did not have such specific action plans.

Course of events

The events of the August putsch unfolded as follows.

During his vacation, in the city of Foros on the state. dacha, at the direction of the "putschists", the President of the USSR Gorbachev was blocked by employees of specially created units, while all communication channels were turned off for him.

From 8 o'clock in the morning, announcers on the radio read out a message stating that, for health reasons, the President of the USSR Gorbachev cannot fulfill his duties, and these powers are transferred to the Vice President of the USSR Yanaev. The report also spoke about the introduction of a state of emergency on the territory of the USSR and the State Emergency Committee is being formed for the effective management of the country.

All TV programs have been canceled on central television and concerts are being broadcast, including the famous Swan Lake ballet. Broadcasting of other channels is disabled. The ECHO of Moscow radio station broadcasts to Moscow.

The suburban dacha of RSFSR President Yeltsin is surrounded by employees of the Alpha unit. As soon as he learns about the creation of the State Emergency Committee and the attempts of the state. coup - decides to go to the White House. The commander of Alpha is given the command to release Yeltsin from the dacha to Moscow, but this decision, in fact, became fatal for the GKChP.

Upon arrival in Moscow, Yeltsin and other leaders of the RSFSR give a press conference at which they do not recognize the GKChP, calling their actions a coup, and calling on everyone to a general strike. People are starting to flock to the White House. Yeltsin's statement on Moscow is broadcast by the ECHO of Moscow radio station.

Meanwhile, the “putschists” are sending a tank battalion to the White House, which, having not received further orders from the command, after negotiations and psychological pressure from the crowd, goes over to the side of the people and Yeltsin. Then a significant historical event occurs: Yeltsin reads an appeal to citizens from one of the tanks, in which he declares the illegality of the State Emergency Committee and their decrees, that Gorbachev is blocked in the country and must speak to the people, convenes a congress of people's deputies of the USSR, and also calls for a general strike.

The gathered people are building barricades of trolleybuses and improvised metal objects in order to block the approaches to the White House of heavy military equipment.

In the evening, the GKChP holds a press conference that looks more like justifying its actions than any statements. The video clearly shows that the “putschists” are worried. You can watch the press conference below.

From the evening news release of the Vremya program, the country learns about ongoing events. Even then it becomes clear that the "putschists" are not succeeding in a coup.

In the morning, people are gathering at the White House, where a 200,000-strong rally against a coup d'état is taking place. In the evening, the demonstrators are preparing for the assault. A curfew is being introduced in Moscow. Alpha Special Forces refuses to carry out the assault order. As a result of the tank assault, three people from the civilian population die. The assault attempt failed.

Realizing the failure of the GKChP, members of its committee decided to go to Gorbachev in Foros, but he refuses to accept them. Along with this, representatives of the RSFSR fly to Foros for Gorbachev.

At 00:04 Gorbachev arrives in Moscow, these shots also became historical. After that, he reads an appeal to the people on television.

Then Gorbachev holds a press conference in which he gives an assessment of the events. After this press conference, the State Emergency Committee is actually liquidated and the August coup ends.

At a rally on August 22, the protesters decide to make the pre-revolutionary tricolor flag of the RSFSR: white, red, blue flag. And at midnight, the monument to Dzerzhinsky, erected opposite the KGB, was dismantled at the request of the protesters.

After these events, the statehood of the USSR begins to actively collapse, with the declaration of independence by Ukraine, then these processes of declaring independence began to snowball.

All participants and accomplices of the GKChP were arrested. In 1993, over them began trial, which almost all ended in amnesty. Army General Varennikov refused the amnesty, but was acquitted, since the court did not see any criminal acts in his actions.

Numerous documentaries have been made about the events of this period. You can watch the video chronicle of those days in this video.

A fragment of the transfer of the Namedni, dedicated to the August coup.

Formation of the State Committee for the State of Emergency

Preparing to create a committee

From the "Conclusion on the materials of the investigation of the role and participation of officials of the KGB of the USSR in the events of August 19-21, 1991":

Members of the State Committee for the State of Emergency

Yanaev Gennady Ivanovich (1937-2010) - Vice-President of the USSR, Acting President of the USSR (August 18 - 21, 1991), member of the Central Committee of the CPSU. - Chairman of the State Emergency Committee

Baklanov Oleg Dmitrievich (b. 1932) - First Deputy Chairman of the USSR Defense Council, member of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

(1924-2007) - Chairman of the KGB of the USSR, member of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

Pavlov Valentin Sergeevich (1937-2003) - Prime Minister of the USSR, member of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

Pugo Boris Karlovich (1937-1991) - Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR, member of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

(1931-2011) - Chairman of the Peasant Union of the USSR, member of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

Tizyakov Alexander Ivanovich (b. 1926) - President of the Association of State Enterprises and Objects of Industry, Construction, Transport and Communications of the USSR.

Yazov Dmitry Timofeevich (b. 1924) - Minister of Defense of the USSR, member of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

Political positions of the State Committee for the State of Emergency

In its first appeal, the State Emergency Committee assessed the general mood in the country as very skeptical about the new political course for dismantling the highly centralized federal structure of the country's government, the one-party political system and state regulation of the economy, condemned the negative phenomena that the new course, according to the compilers, caused to life, such as speculation and the shadow economy, proclaimed that “the development of the country cannot be based on a drop in the living standards of the population” and promised a tough restoration of order in the country and a solution to the main economic problems, without mentioning, however, specific measures.

Television announcement of the creation of the State Emergency Committee

Official statement of the GKChP

Due to the impossibility for health reasons of Gorbachev's performance, the duties of the President of the USSR and the transfer in accordance with Article 127/7 of the Constitution of the USSR, the powers of the President of the USSR to the Vice-President of the USSR Yanaev Gennady Ivanovich.

In order to overcome the deep and comprehensive crisis, political, interethnic, civil confrontation, chaos and anarchy that threaten the life and security of the citizens of the Soviet Union, the sovereignty, territorial integrity, freedom and independence of our state.

2. To establish that throughout the territory of the USSR, the Constitution of the USSR and the Laws of the USSR have unconditional leadership.

3. To govern the country and effectively implement the state of emergency, establish "State Committee for the State of Emergency" in the USSR (GKChP of the USSR), in the following composition:

Baklanov Oleg Dmitrievich - First Deputy Chairman of the USSR Defense Council;

Kryuchkov Vladimir Alexandrovich - Chairman of the KGB of the USSR;

Pavlov Valentin Sergeevich - Prime Minister of the USSR, Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR;

Pugo Boris Karlovich - Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs;

Starodubtsev Vasily Alexandrovich - Chairman of the Peasant Union of the USSR;

Tizyakov Alexander Ivanovich - President of the Association of State Enterprises and Objects of Industry, Construction, Transport and Communications;

Yazov Dmitry Timofeevich - Minister of Defense of the USSR of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR;

Yanaev Gennady Ivanovich - Vice-President of the USSR, Acting President of the USSR.

4. Establish that the decisions of the State Emergency Committee of the USSR are mandatory for strict execution by all authorities and administrations, officials and citizens throughout the territory of the USSR.
Signature: Yanaev, Pavlov, Baklanov.

In a difficult, critical hour for the fate of the fatherland and our peoples, we turn to you.

Mortal danger hangs over our great homeland. The policy of reforms initiated at the initiative of M. S. Gorbachev, conceived as a means of ensuring the country's dynamic development and democratization of public life, for various reasons, has reached a dead end.

The initial enthusiasm and hopes were replaced by disbelief, apathy and despair. The authorities at all levels have lost the trust of the population. Politicism has ousted concern for the fate of the fatherland and the citizen from public life. An evil mockery is being imposed on all the institutions of the state. The country, in fact, became ungovernable.

Taking advantage of the freedoms granted, trampling on the newly emerging sprouts of democracy, extremist forces arose, heading for the liquidation of the Soviet Union, the collapse of the state and the seizure of power at any cost.

The results of the nationwide referendum on the unity of the fatherland have been trampled on.

Cynical speculation on national feelings is just a front to satisfy ambitions. Neither today's misfortunes of their peoples, nor their tomorrow disturb political adventurers. The crisis of power had a catastrophic effect on the economy. A chaotic, spontaneous slide towards the market caused an explosion of regional, departmental, group and personal egoism.

The war of laws and the encouragement of centrifugal tendencies resulted in the destruction of a single national economic mechanism that had been taking shape over decades. The result was a sharp drop in the standard of living of the overwhelming majority of Soviet people, the flourishing of speculation and the shadow economy.

It is high time to tell people the truth: if urgent and decisive measures are not taken to stabilize the economy, then, in the very near future, famine and a new round of impoverishment are inevitable, from which one step to mass manifestations of spontaneous discontent with devastating consequences. Only irresponsible people can hope for some help from abroad. No handouts will solve our problems - salvation is in our own hands.

The time has come to measure the authority of each person or organization by a real contribution to the restoration and development of the national economy. The deepening destabilization of the political and economic situation in the Soviet Union is undermining our positions in the world; here and there revanchic notes were heard. Demands are being put forward to revise our borders. There are even voices about the dismemberment of the Soviet Union and the possibility of establishing international guardianship over individual objects and regions of the country. This is the bitter reality.

The State Committee for the State of Emergency" in the USSR is fully aware of the depth of the crisis that has struck our country. He assumes responsibility for the fate of the Motherland, and is determined to take the most serious measures to bring the state and society out of the crisis as soon as possible. We promise to hold a broad nationwide discussion of the draft of a new union treaty, immediately restore law and order, put an end to the bloodshed, declare a merciless war on the criminal world, put an end to the arbitrariness of the plunderers of the people's property.

We stand for truly democratic processes, for a consistent policy of reforms leading to the economic and social prosperity of our Motherland.

In a healthy society, the constant improvement of the well-being of all citizens will become the norm. We will focus on protecting the interests of the broadest sections of the population. By developing the multifaceted nature of the national economy, we will also support private enterprise. Our first priority will be to solve food and housing problems.

We call on all Soviet people to restore labor discipline and order as soon as possible, to raise the level of production, so that they can then resolutely move forward - our life and the fate of the fatherland depend on this.

We are a peace-loving country and will strictly comply with all our obligations, but no one will ever be allowed to encroach on our sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

We call on all true patriots, people of good will to put an end to the current time of troubles, realize their duty to the Motherland and provide all possible support to the efforts to bring the country out of the crisis.

Official Decree No. 1 (GKChP)

On August 19, 1991, in the continuation of the Vremya information program, the central television announcer, Vera Shebeko, read out the official First Decree of the USSR State Emergency Committee:

In order to protect the vital interests of the peoples and citizens of the USSR, the independence and territorial integrity of the country, restore law and order, stabilize the situation, overcome a severe crisis, prevent chaos, anarchy, and fratricidal civil war. The State Committee for the State of Emergency (GKChP), decides:
1. All authorities and administrations of the USSR, Union and autonomous republics, territories, regions, cities, districts, towns and villages to ensure strict observance of the state of emergency, in accordance with the Law of the USSR on the legal regime of the state of emergency and the decisions of the State Emergency Committee of the USSR. In case of failure to ensure the implementation of this regime, the powers of the relevant authorities and administration are suspended, and the implementation of their functions is entrusted to persons specially authorized by the USSR State Emergency Committee.

2. Immediately disband the structures of power and control, paramilitary formations acting contrary to the Constitution of the USSR.

4. Suspend the activities of political parties, public organizations and mass movements that impede the normalization of the situation.

5. Due to the fact that the State Committee for the State of Emergency (GKChP) in the USSR temporarily takes over the functions of the USSR Security Council, the activities of the latter are suspended.

6. Citizens, institutions and organizations to immediately hand over all types of firearms, ammunition, explosives, military equipment and equipment illegally in their possession. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the KGB and the Ministry of Defense of the USSR ensure the strict implementation of this requirement. In case of refusal to seize them forcibly, with the involvement of violators to strict criminal and administrative liability.

In the government's White House, Boris N. Yeltsin refuses to cooperate with the GKChP and decides not to obey the actions of the GKChP, calling their actions unconstitutional. The leadership of the State Emergency Committee sends a tank battalion of the 1st motorized rifle regiment of the 2nd Taman division under the command of chief of staff Sergei Evdokimov to the building.

Liquidation of the State Emergency Committee and arrest

On the night of August 20, the first clash between the army and demonstrators takes place in Moscow; three demonstrators died. On the morning of August 21, the Minister of Defense of the USSR D.T. Yazov orders his military leaders and commanders to withdraw all units from Moscow to their places of permanent deployment and lift the blockade of the White House. At 9:00 at a meeting with and. about. President of the USSR G. I. Yanaev, it was decided to send a delegation to Foros to M. S. Gorbachev, consisting of: Luktyanov, Yazov, Ivashko and Kryuchkov

The arrested were placed in the Matrosskaya Tishina prison, where they stayed until 1994, when they were released under an amnesty by the State Duma.

"Accomplices" and "sympathizers"

After the failure of the August coup, in addition to members of the State Emergency Committee, some persons were brought to justice and taken into custody, who, according to the investigation, actively contributed to the State Emergency Committee. Among the "accomplices" were:

Ageev Genius Evgenievich - Colonel General, First Deputy Chairman of the KGB of the USSR.

Akhromeev Sergey Fedorovich - Marshal of the Soviet Union, Advisor to the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Advisor to the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Advisor to the President of the USSR M. S. Gorbachev on military affairs.

Boldin Valery Ivanovich - Head of the General Department of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

Varennikov Valentin Ivanovich - General of the Army, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR.

Generalov Vyacheslav Vladimirovich - head of security of Gorbachev's residence in Foros

Lukyanov Anatoly Ivanovich (born 1930) - Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR; his appeal was broadcast on TV and radio along with the main documents of the State Emergency Committee.

Medvedev Vladimir Timofeevich - Major General, head of Gorbachev's security.

Makashov Albert Mikhailovich - Commander of the Volga-Ural Military District

Shenin Oleg Semyonovich - member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

Prokofiev Yuri Anatolyevich - member of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee, 1st Secretary of the CPSU MGK.

Ryzhkov Nikolai Ivanovich - Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR

Kalinin Nikolai Vasilievich - commander of the Moscow Military District, military commandant from the State Emergency Committee in Moscow.

Kruchina Nikolay Efimovich - manager of affairs of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

Grushko Viktor Fedorovich - First Deputy Chairman of the KGB of the USSR

All of them were released under an amnesty in 1994.

According to the memoirs of Yu. A. Prokofiev, in preparing decisions of the State Emergency Committee and bringing them to government agencies the secretary of the Central Committee Yu. A. Manaenkov took part, who, however, was not held accountable later.

The leaders of the republican authorities in most cases did not enter into open confrontation with the State Emergency Committee, but sabotaged its actions. Open support for the GKChP was expressed by the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Belarus N.I. Dementei, 1st Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine S.I. Gurenko and 1st Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Azerbaijan SSR, President of Azerbaijan Ayaz Niyazi oglu Mutalibov, and the leaders of Russia declared themselves opponents of the GKChP - B. N. Yeltsin and Kyrgyzstan - A. A. Akaev. IN Baltic countries the leadership of the Lithuanian Communist Party (CPSU) (M. Burokyavichyus), the Latvian Communist Party (A. Rubiks), and the Estonian Intermovement (E. Kogan), who had lost power by that time, came out in support of the GKChP.

After the August events

The Russian leadership, which led the fight against the GKChP, ensured the political victory of the supreme bodies of Russia over the Union Center. From the autumn of 1991, the Constitution and laws of the RSFSR, the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, as well as the President of the RSFSR received complete supremacy over the laws of the USSR on the territory of Russia. With rare exceptions, the leaders of the regional authorities of the RSFSR, who supported the State Emergency Committee, were removed from their posts.

On December 8, 1991, the presidents of the three founding states of the USSR B. N. Yeltsin, L. M. Kravchuk and S. S. Shushkevich, despite the decision of the all-Union referendum on the preservation of the USSR Union, signed the Belovezhskaya Agreement on the termination of the USSR and the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). On December 25, 1991, Gorbachev officially resigned as President of the USSR.

On December 26, 1991, the USSR officially ceased to exist. In its place, a number of independent states were formed (currently - 19, of which 15 are UN members, 2 are partially recognized by UN member countries, and 2 are not recognized by any of the UN member countries). As a result of the collapse of the USSR, the territory of Russia (the successor country of the USSR in terms of external assets and liabilities, and in the UN) decreased compared to the territory of the USSR by 24% (from 22.4 to 17 million km²), and the population decreased by 49% (from 290 to 148 million people) (at the same time, the territory of Russia has practically not changed compared to the territory of the RSFSR). The ruble zone and the unified Armed Forces of the USSR collapsed (the CSTO was created instead of them, except for the three Baltic republics, Moldova, Ukraine and subsequently Georgia, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan).

Execution and dispersal of Parliament 1993

Opinion of former members of the State Emergency Committee

Referring to the memoirs of the 1st Secretary of the CPSU MGK Yuri Prokofiev. Gorbachev himself claims that only practical steps were being prepared to implement the USSR Law "On the Legal Regime of the State of Emergency", which did not involve anti-constitutional actions, and that he never agreed to the introduction of a state of emergency.

Display in art

see also

Literature

Decrees No. 1 and No. 2 of the State Committee for the State of Emergency in the USSR

memoirs
A. S. Chernyaev“Diaries of A. S. Chernyaev. Soviet policy 1972-1991 - inside view

G. I. Yanaev"GKChP against Gorbachev" - M. : Eksmo, 2010. - 240 p. - (Court of History), ISBN 978-5-699-43860-0

A. I. Lukyanov“August 91st. Was there a conspiracy? (2010; publishers: Eksmo, Algorithm)

Links

Chronicle: ,

Why did the GKChP lose (an excerpt from the book by A. Baigushev)