Wat? USSR had "reverse colonialism" where outskirts siphoned resources from Russian center. Compare standards of living in Georgia or Estonia to those of central RSFSR.
If you look at nationality of USSR leaders, they are overwhelmingly not Russian. Even when they were, they had neither possibility nor intent to spend resources on Russian people.
Yes, I know. The international imperialism and four seasons is the cause of all the misfortune, and fascist from Baltic states and Georgia. This is what stops a common Russian to live in prosperity. Did I cover all the bases?
I could give you my understanding about the root cause of Russian misfortune, but if you happen to be Russian (as it seems to be the case), you would probably not appreciate it. You would probably think that I try to insult you while it is just not true. Just some bits of history hurt. I know it from my own experience.
But I think that there is a deep historical reason why your named countries are doing in much sense better that Russia despite the lack of natural resources or endless fields of fertile soil.
Not anymore they don't. Georgia and Armenia were the richest as parts of USSR, but then they became independent and suddently needed to support themselves - they're pretty poor countries now.
Independent Ukraine failed to catch up with its 1990 GDP/person, as far as I know. I of course understand that direct comparsions between socialist and free-market countries are flawed.
Now, Baltic states fared better, but they got onto EU, making it not a fair comparsion.
You are trying to sell me the futility of argument on HN? Why bother writing anything then?
If you look at nationality of USSR leaders, they are overwhelmingly not Russian. Even when they were, they had neither possibility nor intent to spend resources on Russian people.