D+23 (1 August, 1987) 1215-1500 Zulu

Moscow, USSR 1215 Zulu (1615 Local) The mid-afternoon session of the Politburo concluded earlier than anticipated. The mood had soured very early on and before anyone could think of containment it was too late. Vladimir Dolgikh was the figure that the opposition rallied around, somewhat to Romanov’s surprise. He’d expected another twenty-four hours to pass …

D+23 (1 August, 1987) 0215-0240 Zulu

*Authors Note: Shorter post today, unfortunately. Time has been at a premium this weekend. Next post will be up Tuesday. Happy Father's Day!* Moscow, USSR 0215 Zulu (0615 Local) The meeting was conducted at the rather modest, by the standards of Soviet elites, dacha of Vladimir Dolgikh in the Lenin Hills. Dolgikh and two other …

Politics of Armageddon: The Politburo Returns D+21 (30 July, 1987)

In the early part of the afternoon, the first Politburo members returned to Moscow following their short trips. The bleak and uncertain atmosphere they found the city in mirrored their own attitudes and feelings sharply. The rides from the airport to their residences took them through Moscow and separately, the men who ruled the Soviet …

Politics of Armageddon: Preparations For A Crackdown D+20 (29 July, 1987)

By 2100 hours Moscow time, seventy-five percent of the Politburo’s members were either preparing to depart from Moscow or had already left. Their collective task was to observe events and conditions in whichever theater of operations for eight hours. Afterwards, they would return to Moscow and report their findings to the General Secretary and the …

D+20 Politics of Armageddon: Chebrikov’s Request

The first members of the Politburo to return to Moscow were the members belonging to the Defense Council. This group of men arrived at the Kremlin shortly after 2:00 AM local time and went directly into conference with the General Secretary. Over the next six hours, the rest of the Politburo members, full and candidate, …

The Politics of Global War: A Crucial Day in Moscow Part I

“I fear Grigory Vasilyevich is not being entirely truthful with the Politburo about the progress of the war.” The danger invested in expressing this sentiment was apparent at once. Especially when spoken within the boundaries of the Soviet Union in the last days of July, 1987. The fact that it came from the mouth of …