Spartak Moscow were the defending 12-times champions, but came only fifth this season and marginally qualified for continental competitions.
Lokomotiv returned to the Soviet First League after two seasons absence, while Zenit was relegated for the first time since being promoted back in 1938 through the club's merger.
Originally two teams were promoted from the 1989 Soviet First League and included PFC CSKA Moscow and FC Guria Lanchkhuti.
Midfielders: Hennadiy Lytovchenko (24 / 6), Vasyl Rats (21 / 2), Ivan Yaremchuk (18 / 2), Serhiy Kovalets (11 / 2), Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko (8), Pavlo Yakovenko (6).
Midfielders: Aleksei Sereda (23), Andrey Kobelev (21 / 4), Sergei Derkach (19 / 4), Igor Dobrovolski (15 / 4), Roman Pylypchuk (15 / 2), Aleksandr Zakharov (4), Aleksandr Smirnov (3), Aleksei Yeryomenko (2), Sergei Neyman (1).
Transferred out during the season: Aleksandr Smirnov, Ravil Sabitov (both to FC Dinamo Sukhumi).