In 1993, there was a constitutional crisis in Russia. President Boris Yeltsin had been in conflict with the Supreme Soviet of Russia over his reforms. Those who opposed Yeltsin claimed that he was attempting to increase executive powers. After some time of debate, conflict and tension, Boris Yeltsin dissolved the Supreme Soviet on September 21st. Using the results of the referendum as justification, he declared that the Supreme Soviet was not following the will of the people, and that by dissolving the Soviet he was clearing the way for reforms that would help the country. The next day, the Supreme Soviet impeached Yeltsin (the current constitution did not allow the President to dissolve the Soviet) and swore vice president Alexander Rutskoy to the office of President.
Over the following days, protests (for both Yeltsin and the Soviet) took place. Yeltsin cut off water, electricity and phone lines to the White House (the Legislative Building). Armed protestors joined the Soviet in the White House. Pro-Soviet protestors, under orders from Rutskoy, then stormed the Mayor (of Moscow)’s office and a local television station. 63 people were killed in these events.
It was at this point when Military, who had remained neutral throughout the crisis so far, decided to join forces with Yeltsin. On October 4th, the military bombarded the white house with tanks. Then, at noon, ground forces stormed the White House and occupied it floor by floor. By the afternoon, all street protests had been put down. According to the Russian Government, 187 people were killed. However, according to unofficial sources, as many as 2,000 may have died.
Yeltsin solidified his power and established the State Duma to replace the Supreme Soviet. Those who had gone against him, including Rutskoy, were later pardoned by the Duma in 1994.
Now Historians note the fact that the military only grudgingly sided with Yeltsin, and at the last minute. Many Generals within the military sided with the Soviet personally, but decided to side with Yeltsin due to other reasons. Such reasons include the Pro-Soviet forces storming the Mayor’s Office and Moscow TV Station, the fact that a majority of the people supported Yeltsin, and (most importantly) the fact that if they sided with Yeltsin and won, then they would be greatly rewarded for their loyalty (where as they probably would not have with the Soviet, who would have seen their loyalty as their duty).
However, what if the Generals within the military had decided to side to with Soviet? What if they had done what they believed was right, regardless of the possible outcomes? What if instead of shelling the White House, they had instead shelled the Kremlin? What if the Supreme Soviet defeated Boris Yeltsin?