Shooting of the House of Soviets on October 4, 1993

October 4 is a sad date in the history of Russia. This day is marked by the bloody events of 1993 around the House of Soviets. Then, in the center of Moscow, clashes broke out between the opposing sides, which left behind many victims. We invite you to take a look at the report, consisting of photographs of those events, to remind you of the price the country paid for its political divisions.

A brief photo report of an eyewitness to the dramatic events that took place on October 4, 1993 near the White House. Let's remember those days together...

1. Our journey begins on Tverskaya. The passage is completely blocked by several transverse lines consisting of heavy vehicles. Contrary to expectations, nothing special happens in the Red Square area.

2. We head to the House of Soviets along New Arbat. The street is unusually deserted, there is no car traffic, although there are no serious cordons.

3. There is a concentration of police and army units in the area where it intersects with the Garden Ring.

4. It’s clearly uneasy here – there are scattered shell casings on the asphalt.

5. Apparently, a sniper is working from somewhere - no shots are heard now, but many are trying to take cover just in case.

6. Where the Garden Ring goes into the tunnel under New Arbat, on the night of August 21, 1991, three young people died. This was the first crisis around the White House caused by the actions of the State Emergency Committee. On the wall of the tunnel there is an inscription: “YOU GUYS WITH US!” Corrected the original ambiguous version that read "...YOU ARE WITH YOU."

7. The passage to the White House along Novy Arbat is blocked by a police cordon, however, getting around it a block to the left is not difficult.

8. The entrances are blocked by watering machines, but there are no barriers for pedestrians.

9. Despite the occasional machine gun fire, there are quite a lot of people around - no one is really holding them back. Not only CNN is watching the events from above - the rooftops are literally crowded with spectators.

10. The city hall building also suffered, but now it’s quiet here. All the attention of those gathered was focused on the House of Soviets, surrounded by troops, which had just been shelled by tank guns.

11. The tanks have already fired and a fire is breaking out in the still white House of Soviets.

12. Some observers decide to overcome the area under fire and run directly to the walls of the building. The photographer also decided to take a risk.

13. There is an abundance of medium-heavy armored vehicles right in front of the White House, but they do not fire. Tanks are on the bridge and on the opposite side of the river.

14. We hide behind the granite parapet, next to the young paratroopers who have taken up the position.

15. The paratroopers do not take any active actions, they wait for instructions under the supervision of amateur photographers.

16. The situation, however, is not entirely peaceful. The paratroopers are forced to suppress sporadically awakening firing points with machine gun fire. They shoot at the windows, it seems, at random. Looking at this shot, it’s hard to believe that the action is taking place in the very center of Moscow.

17. It is impossible to understand where the fire is coming from. There are rumors about snipers on rooftops.

18. Shooting is rare, but a stray bullet can trap anyone - two civilians were injured in front of the photographer’s eyes.

19. There are many entrances and exits around the White House; they are also monitored just in case. No one sees a direct threat, but everyone is tense.

20. We move under the protection of greenery.

21. From the conversations of the paratroopers and the messages they received via radio, we can conclude that information about what is happening is fragmentary and contradictory, no one really knows what to do.

22. Soon we see Alpha fighters. They make a very favorable impression - the calm, collected nature of professionals.

23. They left as unnoticed as they appeared.

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25. The shooting subsides and the crowd of spectators, who had previously kept a respectful distance, comes close. The paratroopers are instructed to block the approaches to the building.

26. Negotiators are sent to the White House - accompanied by standard bearers, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov approaches the building.

27. The first surrounding people leave the building. There is no shooting, but the tension of the last hours forces the elderly to move around at a run. Someone is already being searched on the left.

28. The long-awaited denouement - people begin to be taken out of the White House en masse. Some are immediately released, others will have to give explanations.

29. Disarmed defenders are seated closer to the central entrance. In the foreground are probably internal security policemen escorted out of the building.

30. A small pile of various weapons taken from the White House - machine guns, batons, Molotov cocktails. A paratrooper officer with a revolver in his hands examines the crossbow with interest. Is Robin Hood, who dragged him, alive?

31. The crowd approaching the building mostly passively watches those leaving. The mood changes easily: someone shouts insults, he is supported, the photographer stands up for the frightened “refugees”, he is also supported.

32. Control over the situation is gradually being restored - the paratroopers have to perform police functions. They have no experience in dealing with crowds, but fortunately the crowd behaves calmly.

33. Riot police take over the case. Judging by the scattered sugar and matches, this young man spent the night in the White House. When leaving, I grabbed some office equipment.

34. The fire in the building flares up - previously invisible, flames burst out from both sides.

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36. I walk along the side wall of the White House. There is no complete cordon here yet; the curious are trying to see something. They are discussing the version “this is where Alpha entered the building.”

37. The photographer is already leaving when an incomprehensible explosion is heard near the wall.

38. There is a lot of smoke, but, apparently, the destructive effect is insignificant.

39. The operation is completed. The White House will burn all night.