"Citizens of Russia. On the night of 18-19 August 1991, the legally elected President of the country was removed from power. Regardless of the reasons given for this removal, we are dealing with a rightist, reactionary, anti-constitutional coup d'etat. Despite all the difficulties and severe trials being experienced by the people, the democratic process in the country is acquiring an increasingly broad sweep and an irreversible character. The peoples of Russia are becoming masters of their own fate. The unconstitutional seizure of power is a serious crime, no matter what arguments are advanced to justify it. We call upon citizens of Russia to give an appropriate rebuff to the putschists and demand a return of the country to normal constitutional development."

Boris Yeltsin, statement read from atop a tank outside the Russian parliament building (the White House), Moscow, 19 August 1991. The statement was issued hours after a group of hardline Communist officials announced they had assumed power and placed Gorbachev under house arrest in Crimea.