As of December 26, 2025, the world is in a 'New Cold War,' with the power struggle between the US and China intensifying. And 34 years ago today, on December 26, 1991, the USSR officially disbanded, ending the Cold War and ushering in the era of Pax Americana. So, how did the Soviet Union, which once ruled half the globe, vanish completely in just 74 years? Honestly, that day was pretty much inevitable. To understand the background of the collapse, we have to go back to the late 1980s.
By the 1980s, the public's frustration with the Soviet system had already reached its breaking point due to chronic economic hardship and shortages of basic necessities.
Gorbachev's reform and opening policy, *Perestroika*, unintentionally fueled nationalism within the Union, accelerating demands for independence from the various republics.
Then, in April 1986, the Chernobyl disaster occurred. This caused the public’s trust in the government to tank completely.
In 1988, ethnic conflicts began exploding across the Union, starting with the territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In February 1989, the USSR withdrew from Afghanistan after a 10-year war that felt like a defeat, destroying their prestige. In November 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, but Gorbachev gave up on military intervention, and the Eastern Bloc (Poland, Hungary, etc.) collapsed one by one. This gave the Soviet republics hope for dissolution.
Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare independence. Then in June 1990, Russia’s own declaration of sovereignty began to further dismantle the Soviet identity.
January 1991, the 'Bloody Sunday' incident in Lithuania. The Soviet military used force to suppress citizens demanding independence, causing casualties. This maximized international condemnation and internal backlash against Gorbachev.
In March 1991, a referendum was held on preserving the USSR. It got 76% support, but six republics had already boycotted the vote. In the summer of 1991, Gorbachev tried to sign a new treaty on August 20th that would grant massive autonomy to the republics. Hardliners in the Communist Party, believing the USSR would vanish forever if this passed, staged a coup with tanks on August 19th. However, the coup failed due to the incompetence of the leaders, the military refusing to fire on citizens, and the powerful resistance of Yeltsin (standing on a tank) and the people, which completely overwhelmed their narrative.
The August Coup ultimately failed, but Gorbachev’s authority hit rock bottom while Yeltsin emerged as a hero. Dissolution was now inevitable.
On December 8, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus met and agreed to dissolve the Union via the 'Belavezha Accords.' By December 21, 11 republics (excluding the Baltics) joined the CIS, and the Union had no more reason to exist.
On December 25, the day before the collapse, President Gorbachev announced his resignation on TV and handed the nuclear briefcase to Yeltsin. December 26, 1991—the weather was gloomy with low gray clouds, matching the mood. At 10 AM, the Upper House of the Supreme Soviet convened. The last remaining deputies gathered in the Kremlin Annex. The Lower House had already lost its function due to lack of a quorum, but the Upper House held a final session for legal procedures. At 11:30 AM, Chairman Alimzhanov read Declaration No. 142-N. It stated: 'The USSR as a subject of international law and a geopolitical reality ceases to exist.' The meeting ended in minutes, and the Soviet Union officially vanished.
The process of the USSR's collapse.GIF
"History buffs are geeking out over the fall of the USSR, with some wondering about 'what-if' scenarios while others are just here for the 'Sil-be' (Real-time Best) front-page hype."
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