<P> Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union , Boris Yeltsin had been elected President of Russia in June 1991 in the first direct presidential election in Russian history . This ensured that Yeltsin would be the political leader of the Russian successor state following dissolution . This situation resulted in political turmoil as the Soviet and Russian leadership wrestled for control , which culminated in the 1991 August Putsch , where the Soviet military attempted to overthrow Gorbachev . Although the coup was ultimately averted , this situation contributed to rising instability in the Soviet Union . By October 1991 , as the USSR was on the verge of collapse , Yeltsin announced that Russia would proceed with radical reforms , including market - oriented reform along the lines of Poland 's `` big bang '' , also known as `` shock therapy '' . </P>
<P> Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union , Boris Yeltsin had been elected President of Russia in June 1991 in the first direct presidential election in Russian history . This ensured that Yeltsin would be the political leader of the Russian successor state following dissolution . This situation resulted in political turmoil as the Soviet and Russian leadership wrestled for control , which culminated in the 1991 August Putsch , where the Soviet military attempted to overthrow Gorbachev . Although the coup was ultimately averted , this situation contributed to rising instability in the Soviet Union . By October 1991 , as the USSR was on the verge of collapse , Yeltsin announced that Russia would proceed with radical reforms , including market - oriented reform along the lines of Poland 's `` big bang '' , also known as `` shock therapy '' . </P>
who became leader of russia after the collapse of the soviet union
who became leader of russia after the collapse of the soviet union
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin