I lived for years in various SEA countries. Most are significantly poorer that USSR/Russia ever was, lacking infrastructure (basic necessities like electricity,

I lived for years in various SEA countries. Most are significantly poorer that USSR/Russia ever was, lacking infrastructure (basic necessities like electricity, tap water, internet, access to medical care, good roads, etc). Many of them are also highly authoritarian. E.g. Cambodia, which is authoritarian, lacks electricity (even in the capital blackouts are frequent and long, in the summer they happen every day for the duration of the whole workday!), there's no qualified medical care (free or non-free whatsoever), no education (even highly expensive "western" schools are worthless, and I know from experience that there work many drunkards, drug addicts and pedophiles from the West). Nevertheless Russian expats are praising these third world countries as "best in the world" and endlessly vilify Russia. In fact, vilifying Russia is the main talk topic everywhere where 2 or more Russian expats gather, main reason why I avoid making friends with Russians abroad. You can easily find lots of proofs on Facebook and travel forums.