Page "History of Russia (1992–present)" Paragraph 28

The struggle for the center of power in post-Soviet Russia and for the nature of the economic reforms culminated in a political crisis and bloodshed in the fall of 1993.

Yeltsin, who represented a course of radical privatization, was opposed by the parliament.

Confronted with opposition to the presidential power of decree and threatened with impeachment, Yeltsin " dissolved " the parliament on September 21, in contravention of the existing constitution, and ordered new elections and a referendum on a new constitution.

The parliament then declared Yeltsin deposed and appointed Aleksandr Rutskoy acting president on September 22.

Tensions built quickly, and matters came to a head after street riots on October 2 – October 3.

On October 4, Yeltsin ordered Special Forces and elite army units to storm the parliament building, the " White House " as it is called.

With tanks thrown against the small-arms fire of the parliamentary defenders, the outcome was not in doubt.

Rutskoy, Ruslan Khasbulatov, and the other parliamentary supporters surrendered and were immediately arrested and jailed.

The official count was 187 dead, 437 wounded ( with several men killed and wounded on the presidential side ).