Ayup. It's something I've been wondering a lot in regards to Russian empire and USSR. Both in terms of pure economical development and in terms of national representation.
Warning: hot take incoming.
If you look at surnames of the Empire's ruling classes, what the media is now trying to call "elite", you'll notice a lot of Polish and German names. Conversely, if you look at RSFSR leadership, it's largely Russian or Ukrainian surnames. Also plenty of Jewish names in science and technology (daily reminder that Jews were legally deprecated in the Empire). In the republics you see a surge of local surnames.
So if anything, the Soviets had done more for Russian nationalism than actual, self described "Russian nationalists".
Ayup. It's something I've been wondering a lot in regards to Russian empire and USSR. Both in terms of pure economical development and in terms of national representation.
Warning: hot take incoming.
If you look at surnames of the Empire's ruling classes, what the media is now trying to call "elite", you'll notice a lot of Polish and German names. Conversely, if you look at RSFSR leadership, it's largely Russian or Ukrainian surnames. Also plenty of Jewish names in science and technology (daily reminder that Jews were legally deprecated in the Empire). In the republics you see a surge of local surnames.
So if anything, the Soviets had done more for Russian nationalism than actual, self described "Russian nationalists".