1993 russian constitutional crisis
The culmination of a major political clash between then President Boris Yeltsin and the Russian parliament that lasted from late September to early October 1993.
As part of the long-lasting post-Soviet power struggle, Yeltsin issued a decree №1400 dissolving the Supreme Soviet and Congress of People's Deputies, accusing it of obstructing his economic reforms, de facto performing an autocoup. In response, the Constitutional Court, elected by the Congress of People's Deputies, declared Yeltsin’s decree invalid and nonconstitutional, impeached him, and appointed Vice President Alexander Rutskoy as acting president.
The standoff, colloquially known as "Black October", escalated into armed clashes in Moscow, involving the assault of Moscow City Hall and Ostankino Tower, and culminated on October 4, when Yeltsin ordered military forces to storm the White House. Tanks fired on the building, resulting in a large scale fire, followed by intense close quarters combat between the armed forces and White House defenders.
The crisis ended with Yeltsin’s victory and adoption of a new "rule by decree" constitution, marking a turning point towards a more centralized and authoritarian government.
