Soviet Coup 1991: Day One - ABC News - August 19

A coup led by at least five high-ranking Soviets begins, Mikhail Gorbachev's whereabouts are unknown, Russian President Boris Yeltsin is defiant calling it "a coup by criminals" and for a general strike, Yeltsin supporters and troops on opposing sides surround the Russian Parliament. US President George HW Bush condemns the coup and provides statement in favour of Yeltsin.