In 2010, 62% of Ukrainians said life was worse now than in the USSR and only 12% said it was better (1). In 2013, 56% believed the breakup of the USSR was bad for Ukraine and only 23% thought it was good (2).

I like to say “the Ukraine” just to piss off the Banderites

This is underselling it. At its peak, post-Soviet Ukraine was the surrogacy capitol of Europe, but now it’s not “merely” women’s wombs but the women themselves are for sale as Ukrainian women are being trafficked at easily one of the highest rates ever (though a lot of it is refugees who are outside of Ukraine). I don’t know if it’s higher or lower than Ukraine ca. 1993.

Neoliberal hegemony and shock therapy have caused more suffering than anticommunists can pretend the Soviets did.

The comprador class is so dangerous. What did the average Ukrainian get out of this except for misery? It’s sad af.