Following the victory of the counterrevolution and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian leadership under Boris Yeltsin proceeded to harsh economic reforms (known as “shock therapy”), thus causing, among others, inflation, unemployment, and severe public discontent.
Within this context, a growing conflict between Yeltsin and the Supreme Soviet (Parliament) over economic policy and division of powers began to unravel. The Supreme Soviet resisted capitalist reforms and pushed back against the increasing presidential authority.
