There are no Soviet countries left. All former republics of the Soviet Union are now independent states. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) officially ceased to exist on December 26, 1991, following a process of dissolution that saw all its constituent republics declare sovereignty.
The Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was a vast socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991. Comprising 15 Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs), its collapse was a pivotal geopolitical event that reshaped the global political landscape. This dissolution resulted in the full independence of all these republics, transitioning them into sovereign nations with their own distinct political and economic systems.
Kazakhstan: The Last to Secede
Among the 15 republics, Kazakhstan played a unique role in the final days of the Soviet Union. The Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic was officially renamed to the Republic of Kazakhstan on December 10, 1991. Just six days later, on December 16, 1991 (the fifth anniversary of Jeltoqsan, a significant protest in Kazakhstan), it declared its full independence. This act made Kazakhstan the last Soviet constituency to secede, definitively marking the complete end of the Soviet Union as a political entity.
Independent Successor States
Today, the territory once covered by the Soviet Union is home to 15 independent countries, each with its own government, economy, and foreign policy. These nations span Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, and are often referred to as the "post-Soviet states."
Here is a comprehensive list of the 15 former Soviet Republics and their current independent names:
| Former Soviet Republic | Current Independent Country | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Armenian SSR | Armenia | Caucasus |
| Azerbaijani SSR | Azerbaijan | Caucasus |
| Byelorussian SSR | Belarus | Eastern Europe |
| Estonian SSR | Estonia | Baltic States |
| Georgian SSR | Georgia | Caucasus |
| Kazakh SSR | Kazakhstan | Central Asia |
| Kirghiz SSR | Kyrgyzstan | Central Asia |
| Latvian SSR | Latvia | Baltic States |
| Lithuanian SSR | Lithuania | Baltic States |
| Moldavian SSR | Moldova | Eastern Europe |
| Russian SFSR | Russia | Eastern Europe/Asia |
| Tajik SSR | Tajikistan | Central Asia |
| Turkmen SSR | Turkmenistan | Central Asia |
| Ukrainian SSR | Ukraine | Eastern Europe |
| Uzbek SSR | Uzbekistan | Central Asia |
Why No 'Soviet Countries' Remain
The term "Soviet country" specifically refers to a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, operating under its centralized communist ideology and command economy. With the collapse of the USSR, this entire framework dissolved. Each newly independent state forged its own path, establishing distinct forms of governance, economic systems, and national identities. Therefore, to refer to any current country as "Soviet" would be inaccurate, as none operate under the former Soviet system or as a part of a unified Soviet state.
Key Takeaways:
- The Soviet Union officially dissolved in December 1991.
- All 15 former republics gained full independence following the dissolution.
- Kazakhstan was the last Soviet republic to declare independence, on December 16, 1991, signifying the complete end of the USSR.
