The Unfinished Time: Russia in the 90s
Season 1
From the collapse of the Soviet Union to Putin's rule: how Russia became free and what it did with this freedom. The story of Boris Yeltsin and his times, told by his comrades, family, friends, and foes.
Where to Watch The Unfinished Time: Russia in the 90s • Season 1
20 Episodes
- The AwakeningE1
The AwakeningThe young General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev is trying to reform the decrepit regime, inadvertently launching a chain reaction of events that the Soviet government quickly becomes unable to control. A new leader is born from the turmoil of perestroika: Boris Yeltsin becomes the spearhead of democratic forces, and Gorbachev soon begins perceiving him as a threat. - Part I: Awakening
E1Part I: AwakeningThe new General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU, Mikhail Gorbachev, is trying to reform the Soviet regime - and starts a chain reaction of events that he quickly loses control over. The democratic opposition is led by Boris Yeltsin, and soon Gorbachev begins to see him as a threat. - Coup D'étatE2
Coup D'étatDetermined to quell the democratic reforms, Soviet hardliners, led by the director of the KGB, place Mikhail Gorbachev under house arrest and orchestrate a coup d'état. However, citizens of the emerging new Russia, spearheaded by Boris Yeltsin, stop the plotters from seizing power. The Soviet regime is now doomed. - Part II: The Unfinished Revolution
E2Part II: The Unfinished RevolutionIn order to reverse democratic reforms, the Soviet security forces, led by the chairman of the KGB, staged a coup d'état - they isolated the legitimate president of the USSR Gorbachev in the Crimea and brought tanks into Moscow. But the citizens of Russia, rallied around their president, are putting up unexpected resistance. - Belovezhskaya PushchaE3
Belovezhskaya PushchaThe defeat of the coup launches a chain reaction: republics leave the USSR one after another, and soon the Soviet Union, which seemed unbreakable just a year ago, officially ceases to exist. Boris Yeltsin and his comrades have only a few months to decide which way path the new Russia will take. - Part III: Belovezhskaya Pushcha
E3Part III: Belovezhskaya PushchaThe defeat of the GKChP plays the role of a trigger: the republics secede from the USSR one after another, and the Union, which until recently seemed indestructible, is falling apart before our eyes. In a matter of months, it is necessary to decide how the new Russia will live. - Shock TherapyE4
Shock TherapyTo avoid the looming economic disaster in Russia, President Boris Yeltsin appoints a cabinet of "Young Reformers" and launches radical reforms, which face significant public opposition. The President implements necessary but painful measures, sacrificing his popularity for the sake of the country's economic stability. - The Stand-offE5
The Stand-offBoris Yeltsin faces an unexpected opponent: the Russian parliament, which hinders his reforms and attempts to seize power. In the autumn of 1993, the political crisis escalates into a civil war on the streets of Moscow, as the president and parliament clash violently for control of the country's future. - Part V: Confrontation
E5Part V: ConfrontationIn the autumn of 1993, dual power was formed in Russia. The conflict between the president and the parliament is growing, which leads to a full-scale political crisis and armed clashes on the streets of Moscow. The parliament tries to seize power from the president, and the president dissolves the parliament. - The First Chechen WarE6
The First Chechen WarAt the end of 1994, a war begins in Russia: Moscow sends federal troops into Chechnya, which had declared independence. The authorities expect a quick victory but instead find themselves in a prolonged, bloody conflict. Even those who had supported Yeltsin since the beginning of the perestroika turn away from him. - Part VI: The First Chechen War
E6Part VI: The First Chechen WarAt the end of 1994, the Chechen war began in Russia: federal troops entered the republic that had proclaimed independence. The authorities are counting on a quick victory, but instead they get a protracted bloody conflict. Even his loyal allies are turning away from Yeltsin. - Vote or LoseE7
Vote or LoseTired of politics, ill, and having lost much of his popularity, Boris Yeltsin makes the decision to run for a second term as President of Russia. Nearly everyone around him believes that he will inevitably lose to the Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov. However, against all odds, Yeltsin manages to unite the elites and the general public behind his candidacy, ultimately securing a victory in the election. - Part VII: Vote or Lose
E7Part VII: Vote or LoseUnresolved problems in the economy, the ongoing war in Chechnya, deteriorating health - all this brings down the presidential rating of Boris Yeltsin. But after the defeat of the pro-government party in the Duma elections, the president believes that he is the only one who can stop the leader of the Communists, Gennady Zyuganov. Yeltsin decided to run in the presidential elections of 1996. - Young ReformersE8
Young ReformersAfter recovering from heart surgery, Boris Yeltsin initiates a new wave of economic reforms. However, the reformist government soon clashes with powerful oligarchs, leading to a severe economic crisis that engulfs the country. Faced with mounting challenges, Yeltsin is forced to make concessions and reach a compromise with the communist opposition to navigate the turbulent political and economic landscape of Russia. - Part VIII: The Young Reformers
E8Part VIII: The Young ReformersHaving survived heart surgery, the president is launching a new wave of economic reforms. By the end of 1997, the Russian economy was growing for the first time in the 1990s. However, the conflict between the young government and part of big business leads to a series of high-profile resignations. The country is covered by an economic crisis. - In Search of a SuccessorE9
In Search of a SuccessorPrime Minister Yevgeny Primakov's popularity surges as he successfully navigates the aftermath of the crisis and takes a firm stance against NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia. However, amid an unfolding corruption scandal allegedly involving President Yeltsin's inner circle, known as the "family," Yeltsin grows wary of Primakov's increasing ambition. Just months later, the president dismisses the prime minister, perceiving him as a potential threat to his power. - Part IX: In Search of a Successor
E9Part IX: In Search of a SuccessorPrime Minister Yevgeny Primakov is rapidly gaining popularity, having successfully coped with the consequences of the crisis. He decides to run for president in 2000 and forms an informal alliance with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and the Communists. Yeltsin dismissed Primakov. - Take Care of Russia!E10
Take Care of Russia!After an extensive search, Yeltsin chooses Vladimir Putin, the former director of the FSB, as his successor. Initially, this decision raises eyebrows and appears to be an odd choice to many. However, within a matter of months, Putin's popularity skyrockets, making him the most well-liked politician in the country. Convinced that his gamble has paid off, Yeltsin, assured of his strategic move's success, proceeds to make the most fateful and consequential political decision of his entire career. - Part X: Take Care of Russia!
E10Part X: Take Care of Russia!The presidential elections of 2000 are approaching. Yevgeny Primakov and Yuri Luzhkov created the Fatherland-All Russia association, which dominates the political system of Russia. The Russian elite believes that the Kremlin has already lost the upcoming elections. However, the new prime minister, Vladimir Putin, is rapidly gaining popularity. People like his energy and determination. On December 31, 1999, President Yeltsin made an unexpected decision and resigned early.
