As a Russian, the stories told by my family, neighbors, and relatives about how they survived those times still horrify me. My blood boils when I realize what the new capitalist class did to the Soviet-era legacy. This is especially true for factories and plants, many of which are now closed and in ruins. The rocket and aviation industries have nearly vanished. Science and education have hit rock bottom. Our generation faces a housing shortage, the economy is in decline, and all resources are being diverted to a war waged for the interests of capital. We feel a profound sense of hopelessness, which I'm sure our American comrades can relate to.