In Moscow's Shadows In Moscow's Shadows 215: A Tale of Two Coups
Sep 7, 2025
Explore the tumultuous history of the 1991 and 1993 Russian coups and their ongoing influence on modern politics. Delve into the complex dynamics of international relations and the myths surrounding these events. Discover how collective memory and state-sanctioned memorials shape today's narratives. Reflect on the moral complexities tied to Russia’s past and how historical traumas affect current public sentiment. Uncover the ideologies of leaders like Gorbachev and Yeltsin that ultimately paved the way for Putin’s regime.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Prioritise Stand-Off Air Support
- Use Western air supremacy and bases outside Ukraine to provide plausible security without deploying ground troops inside the country.
- Prioritise air-defence and missile-targeting capabilities over risky troop deployments to avoid escalation with Russia.
Coup That Hastened The USSR's End
- The 1991 August coup aimed to stop a Union treaty that would let republics leave and turned into a farce that accelerated the Soviet collapse.
- The coup's failure shifted real power to Boris Yeltsin and destroyed the treaty's prospects, sealing the USSR's end.
Gorbachev Held At His Dacha
- Gorbachev was visited at his Crimean dacha by officials who then cut his phone and demanded he declare a state of emergency.
- When he refused, they left him effectively under house arrest while they announced Yanayev as acting president.
