Russia marks 30th anniversary of failed coup that preceded collapse of USSR

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev speaks to a Soviet TV newsman at Vnukovo airport outside Moscow, shortly after arriving from the Crimea after a three day coup by Communist hardliners failed, in Russia (AP)

Russia has been reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the failed hardline Communist coup that attempted to topple Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

The world held its breath when a group of top officials ousted reformist Mr Gorbachev and flooded Moscow with tanks.