The accounts of an eyewitness of events taking place in Moscow during the USSR breakup are presented. Public sentiments in summer 1990, particularly after defeat of State Committee of the State of Emergency in autumn and winter 1991 are described. In a specific context the author shows sharp economic and financial slowdown during this period. Expectations of people, higher educational establishments’ staff first of all, concerning the steps of overcoming the systemic crisis facing the state are featured. The author comes to a conclusion that in 1991 USSR dissolution was inevitable. A quarter of a century later it became evident that the ideas of the nation’s future and world order were too optimistic and to a great extent romantic and illusory. The state and world community were not what they were thought of in time of the USSR collapse.