The 1993 Russian constitutional crisis was a major political conflict between President Boris Yeltsin and the Russian parliament. It began on September 21, 1993, when Yeltsin issued a decree dissolving the parliament, accusing it of obstructing his reforms. In response, the parliament declared Yeltsin’s decree invalid, impeached him, and appointed Vice President Alexander Rutskoy as acting president.
The standoff escalated into armed clashes in Moscow, culminating on October 4, when Yeltsin ordered military forces to storm the White House (the parliament building). Tanks fired on the building, and troops moved in to suppress the resistance, resulting in significant casualties and the arrest of opposition leaders.
The crisis ended with Yeltsin’s victory and the adoption of a new constitution that significantly expanded presidential powers, marking a turning point towards a more centralized and authoritarian government.
