C. Soviet Union begins a war with Afghanistan (The Soviet–Afghan War lasted over nine years, from December 1979 to February 1989). A. Reforms such as glasnost and perestroika instituted in Soviet Union. E. Mikhail Gorbachev becomes the leader of the Soviet Union (He was the country's head of state from 1988 until 1991). D. Soviet government attempts to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev (1991 August Coup was an attempt by members of the Soviet Union's government to take control of the country from Soviet President and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev). B. Boris Yeltsin becomes president of the established Russian Federation