A soldier waves 21 August 1991 a Russian flag from the top of his News Photo - Getty Images

A soldier waves 21 August 1991 a Russian flag from the top of his tank as armoured units leave their positions in Moscow following the collapse of the military coup against president Gorbatchev. Coup Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Has Russia Always Played By Its Own Rules?

Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin's warplanes 'drop bombs' on civilian shipping lanes as Kyiv troops advance

656 Soviet Soldiers 1991 Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images - Getty Images

1,149 Russian Flag Waving Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images - Getty Images

1,012 Soviet Soldiers 1991 Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images - Getty Images

656 Soviet Soldiers 1991 Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images - Getty Images

20 Years Since The Fall of the Soviet Union - The Atlantic

August 21, 1991: Former Soviet Republics Declare Independence

21,778 Russia Flag Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images - Getty Images

A timeline of Ukraine's history : NPR