Event chronology in former Soviet Union

In preparation for my trial in 1993, Mrs C of MI5 (aka Stella Rimington) was asked to produce a chronology of the events that took place in the Soviet Union between 1985 and 1992, and their effect on the intelligence and security services.

11 March 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev elected as Secretary General of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU).

1 October 1988 Gorbachev also assumes Presidency of Soviet Union.

May 1991 Russian KGB formed.

19 August 1991 Gorbachev ousted from power in coup. Committee for State of Emergency formed.

21 August 1991 Coup fails. Gorbachev returned to power. Head of KGB arrested as one of conspirators.

22 August 1991 Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federation, issues decree placing all Soviet KGB elements operating on Russian territory under control of Russian KGB (which had been formed on May 1991).

24 August 1991 Gorbachev steps down as General Secretary of CPSU. CPSU activity within state bodies (including KGB) abolished.

28 August 1991 Central Soviet KGB Collegium dissolved. State Commission established to investigate former activities of KGB.

2 September 1991 Central Soviet government suspended.

5 September 1991 Council of state formed in which Gorbachev shares responsibility for central state organs (including KGB and army) with Republican leaders.

30 September 1991 Yevgeniy PRIMAKOV appointed head of new Soviet Foreign Intelligence Service (TsSR).

22 October 1991 Decree signed dissolving KGB. Three new organs created: The Inter-Republican Security Service (MSB), The TsSR, and the Committee for the Protection of the USSR State Border.

26 November 1991 Yeltsin signs decree turning Russian KGB into Agency of Federal Security (AFB).

19 December 1991 Soviet Foreign Ministry abolished. Russian Foreign Ministry takes over.

19 December 1991 Combined Russian Ministry of Security and Interior (MBVD) established. Former Union Interior Ministry abolished, as are inter-republican and Russian security services (MSB and AFB).

25 December 1991 Gorbachev resigns. Yeltsin assumes control of nuclear weapons. Soviet flag lowered from Kremlin. End of USSR.

26 December 1991 Yeltsin signs decree transforming TsSR into the Russian External Intelligence Service (SVR).

24 January 1992 Yeltsin issues decree forming Russian Federation Ministry of Security (MBR), after Constitutional Court rules decree of 19.12.91 invalid. Viktor Barannikov appointed as head.

21 February 1992 Russian Federation Supreme Soviet passes resolution on control over activity of state security and intelligence services.

16 March 1992 Yeltsin establishes Russian Federation Ministry of Defence.

8 July 1992 Laws on Russian Security and Foreign Intelligence Services signed by Yeltsin.