The tragic events of 1991 changed the fate of our country. But not only the August putsch, but also much else that happened that year, is still fraught with many secrets and mysteries. People far from power do not even suspect that sophisticated intrigues and even good goals lie at the heart of big politics achieved through very low means. Sometimes, over time, we learn the true meaning of these intrigues. Sometimes all this remains a mystery to us. In his book, L. Mlechin, relying on previously unknown documents and testimonies of direct participants in the events, primarily high-ranking employees of the State Security Committee of the RSFSR, tells how events in the country developed that year. The book is intended for a wide audience circle of readers.