A popular ideological myth is that the USSR ended "at the hands of its own people" and brought to power in Russia "Yeltsin and the democrats" -- even "moral leaders" -- who represented the people (quotes from NYT columnist). In fact, the breakup was not mandated or even sanctioned by any popular revolution, national election, or referendum. Yeltsin abolished the 74-year-old Soviet Union in December 1991 with the backing of a self-interested alliance. In 1993, he used tanks to destroy Russia's popularly-elected Parliament. His constituents proceeded to privatize the nation's vast resources and industries, greatly enriching themselves and creating a new and corrupt oligarchy.
-- excerpted/paraphrased from Stephen F. Cohen, "The Soviet Union, R.I.P.?", The Nation, 12/25/06