The collapse of the Soviet Union Lenin (centre in dark coat) and Soviet commanders on Moscow's Red Square, May 25, 1919 - AFP This Agence France-Presse (AFP) package on the collapse of the Soviet Union is based on the agency's text, photo, graphics and video archives. It was compiled by Karinne Delorme Niveau Cycle 4 Lycée Thématique Langues vivantes SES Five things to know about the Soviet Union Milestones in the fall of the Soviet Union Lithuania leads the road to independence Soviet Union: The failed August 1991 coup Freeing Gorbachev from his golden cage Red flag is lowered on Communist Party HQ Gorbachev: Toppled by his own reforms Gorbachev-Yeltsin: Political duel that sped Soviet collapse Moscow's street kids earn as much as their parents Yeltin reforms plunge Russians into poverty Book traversal links for The collapse of the Soviet Union Five things to know about the Soviet Union ›