In August 1991, the Soviet empire collapsed. Yet this colossus seemed indestructible: its power had towered over the world for nearly a century. But a collapsed economy, reforms too late to avoid bankruptcy, an abortive coup d'état and the change of power revealed to the world the pre-existing debacle. The Soviet power and state disappeared. From then on, all rules are abolished. What happens when a state disappears and no longer finances or manages the territory under its control?