What is the Difference Between Russia and Soviet Union?

The main difference between Russia and the Soviet Union is that Russia is a country, whereas the Soviet Union was a political state, in which Russia was one of the republic's states. The Soviet Union, also known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was a one-party state that existed from 1922 until 1991, comprised of 15 republics, including Russia.

Key differences between Russia and the Soviet Union include:

• Size: Russia is a large country, but it is smaller in comparison to the Soviet Union both in size and in the scope of its government.
• Geographical Location: Although both Russia and the Soviet Union are located between two continents – Asia and Europe, the Soviet Union was one of the two superpowers of the world, with members extending from Germany to the Pacific Ocean.
• Government: The Soviet Union was a one-party state, hosting many cultures and ethnicities in one, singular state. In contrast, Russia is a specific country, government, and society with its own distinct culture and traditions.
• Existence: The Soviet Union no longer exists since it was disbanded in 1991, and its member republics became independent countries. Russia, on the other hand, continues to exist as a country and a government.
• Political System: Russia is a conventional, somewhat conservative power, whereas the Soviet Union was a messianic, totalitarian power.

Comparative Table: Russia vs Soviet Union

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between Russia and the Soviet Union:

• The Soviet Union (USSR) was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991, consisting of a federation of 15 national republics, with the largest and most populous being the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (Russian SFSR).
• The Soviet Union was a one-party state governed by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, with a socialist economy featuring central planning.
• In contrast, Russia is an independent country since 1991, with a federal semi-presidential constitutional republic government and a market-based economy.