Riot police attempting to curb the violence
The Battle of Moscow was the term coined for the widespread riots that occurred across Moscow in the aftermath of the assassination of Boris Yeltsin. The clashes occurred between Democratic sympathizers out to avenge Yeltsin's death and Communist militia groups. The Russian military and police tried to keep order but due to the lack of governmental communication in the wake of Yeltsin's assassination, few soldiers arrived in Moscow. The riots lasted nearly three weeks before they were ended by the government. In total, nearly 1,500 people were killed in the riots and the battle is believed to have been the cause of the Moscow Purges.
Battle Of Moscow: August 20-September 11 1991
|
Pro-Democratic protesters |
Communist and Fascist militia and sympathizers | Russian Government army and Police |
|---|---|---|
| Thousands | Thousands |
600 Riot Police 200 Soviet uniform soldiers |
|
154 killed 5,700 wounded |
350 killed 7,800 wounded |
81 Riot Police and 75 soldiers killed. 400 wounded |
| 712 unaffiilated or unidentified civilians killed, 130 missing. |