The situation on November 6, 1917 is critical. Russia's provisional government is on its last legs. Vladimir Lenin and his Bolsheviks, with widespread popular support, are taking over Petrograd. RT’s #1917LIVE will be updating readers on these final moments of the Russian Revolution.
08 November 2017
07 November 2017
Elsewhere in Petrograd, the Pre-parliament has been dissolved.
Meanwhile, businesses and government bodies allow employees to go home, fearing that their security can no longer be guaranteed.
There is talk of an operation to storm the Palace to search for members of the provisional government, and bring them to justice.
The Bolsheviks spread word that Kerensky has fled Petrograd.
06 November 2017
Alexander Kerensky's efforts to summon troops from the front appear to be in vain.
BREAKING: 175 Junkers attempt to enter Petrograd, but are detained at railway terminals by the MRC-loyal Red Guards, sailors and soldiers of the Petrograd garrison. Alexander Kerensky's hold on power is expected to collapse soon, as Bolshevik forces draw nearer to the Winter Palace.
Elsewhere in town, the MRC-commanded artillery battery arrives at the gates of the Winter Palace. A storm operation is being readied.
The Russian Telegraph has been replaced with Revolutionary Times, which shall now be tweeting in place of the old newspaper for the #1917LIVE project.
The end of Russian Telegraph.
The fate of the Russian Telegraph is uncertain. The situation is developing.
Red Guards have stormed the office of the pro-government Russian Telegraph.
As sailors, headed by revolutionary commissars, seize key institutions, employees are being sent home quickly due to the "generally insecure situation in the city."
The multi-party Pre-parliament has refused Kerensky's request, instead suggesting the PM form a new government the population could get behind.
The Prime Minister tries desperately to set up a dictatorship, asking for special powers to crush the Bolshevik rebellion with full force. Despite the situation, Russia is still a nation of laws. But time is running out for Kerensky. A comparatively bloodless takeover of power is already well underway.
The Pre-parliament is another card PM Kerensky could use. The Bolsheviks had declined to be included.
The PM, in the meantime, orders the arrest of all members of the MRC and top Bolshevik command.
The Russian capital is awash with armed troops, vastly outnumbering government forces.
As soon as the Junkers are kicked out from major strategic points in town, the Red Guards, sailors and soldiers of the Bolsheviks plan to make it to the Winter Palace, the seat of the provisional government.
As the Red Guards and soldiers liberate the offices of 'Workers' Way' and other newspapers from the government's Junkers, a secret meeting at Smolny - the headquarters of the Bolshevik uprising in Petrograd - is held. Elsewhere at the Kresty Jail, imprisoned Bolsheviks are being set free on MRC's authority, joining up with the rebellion.
Kerensky knows his government does not stand a chance against the overwhelming military force summoned up by the Bolsheviks, so he orders the sailors of the Aurora out to sea. But the MRC is quick to override it, and Aurora stays put, with its cannon trained on Petrograd.
The Military-Revolutionary Committee (MRC) - set up by Leon Trotsky, Lenin's most trusted Bolshevik - is coordinating the rebellion.
The Bolsheviks enjoy the support of the Red Guards paramilitary units, as well as the vast majority of soldiers and sailors.
A fight is ongoing for the takeover of strategic positions around the capital. Particularly the bridges. Key among them is the Palace Bridge, leading to the Winter Palace - the seat of the provisional government.
The young Junkers are Prime Minister Alexander Kerensky's last hope. Every other gun-bearing individual is with the Bolsheviks.