Brezhnev considered himself Russian, as did Khrushchev. Kaganovich's background is more complex, but that's splitting hairs. What's more important is that, to

Brezhnev considered himself Russian, as did Khrushchev. Kaganovich's background is more complex, but that's splitting hairs. What's more important is that, to a first order approximation -- the way the SU conducted itself geopolitically was as a continuation of the Russian empire. Including in particular the strategy of maintaining as many buffer / vassal states between itself and perceived competitors as possible. And as holiday resorts, etc. Which is of course basically Putin's strategy, and his prime motivation for subjugating / neutralizing Ukraine as well.