MOSCOW : Russian Roulette

Russia’s legislature, the Supreme Soviet, convenes what promises to be an especially stormy session today.

Some conservative deputies are expected to launch an attack on President Boris N. Yeltsin and his government, which has been forcing the country toward a free-market economy. But even Yeltsin’s harshest critics predict that the personal assault on him will be restrained because he still symbolizes national unity.

Instead, legislators are expected to press mercilessly for the resignations of some or all members of the Cabinet, headed by acting Prime Minister Yegor T. Gaidar.

Meanwhile, liberal deputies are expected to direct their offensive at Ruslan I. Khasbulatov, the legislature’s chairman, who has been widely criticized for overstepping his authority.