However, Based on Rodionov's politics, personality, career roster, and consistent opposition to the use of army troops in the city,[4] there is good reason to believe that he served as a scapegoat for the events.

[5][6] The Sobchak commission investigating the tragedy established the orders to clear the demonstrators originated from Defence Minister Yazov, at the request of Republican level Communist Party officials.

[8] The deaths themselves were the result of the units involved treating it as "military operation" which "was not corrected in accordance with the actual situation" (the number of protesters present far exceeded what was expected).

Rodionov had had many military doctrinal articles published, and coming from command of the General Staff Academy had a background in analysis which Grachev lacked.

Rodionov did have ideas for reforming the armed forces, but thought that the general outlook of the Cold War ought to remain; Russia had been and would continue to be an adversary of the West, and the threat perception and budget levels should be designed on that basis.