Russia's 'cursed August': A history of turmoil and Putin's rise

August has historically been a month of significant upheaval and political maneuvering in Russia, earning it the moniker of a "cursed month." This historical pattern includes the pivotal 1991 coup that ultimately led to the Soviet Union's collapse and the 1998 financial crisis, which saw Russia default on its debt and devalue the ruble.

More directly tied to Vladimir Putin's ascent, August 1999 witnessed the formation of a conspiracy that brought him to power. Then-beleaguered President Boris Yeltsin appointed Putin, then a relatively unknown figure in politics, as prime minister. In the same month, a mysterious terrorist attack in Dagestan, the first of several staged bombings blamed on Chechen terrorists, occurred. Putin's forceful response to these attacks cemented his image as a national hero.

The pattern continued in August 2000 with the sinking of the nuclear submarine Kursk. This event exposed the nascent Russian leadership's VDK instincts and, according to the author, highlighted Putin's "brutal incompetence." The article implies that the current regime, like those past August events, is characterized by rigidity, fragility, and growing internal tension, urging readers to remain vigilant.