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Another
I've been mentioning to friends for a few years what made the Soviet Union powerful was the Ukrainian part.
Trouble in the proletariat paradise?As Russian planes burned, Putin's military bloggers were 'choking with hurt'
Vladimir Putin's online army is normally supportive, but some accounts have been boldly outspoken and willing to question, even blame, the Russian establishment for not protecting the country's prized strategic bomber fleet.www.abc.net.au
I've been mentioning to friends for a few years what made the Soviet Union powerful was the Ukrainian part.
To note that Ukraine was also the breadbasket (and "coal and iron ore basket") before 1950.Over the years between 1950 and 1990, Ukraine had not only been the breadbasket of the USSR, but a significant source of resources, as well as a technological hotbed. After the USSR's breakup, modern Russia's decline was in my opinion in large part due to the loss of both fertile farmland and an educated manufacturing workforce located near resource extraction, although it's fair to say that the larger reason for Russia's decline was the rise of the oligarchy. But that oligarchy clearly had -- and still has -- problems growing corn, digging coal, or building ships and bombers.
It's no surprise that Russia invaded in 2022 trying to recapture those benefits. Perhaps had Russia done this in 1992 they would have succeeded. Even in 2014, maybe could have worked but I'm skeptical. But by giving the Ukrainians eight years of training and arming in a low-key war, Putin screwed up massively.