Final answer:
The saddest legacy of the Soviet Union for Russia and Central Asia includes ethnic tension due to forced Russification, disruption of traditional lifestyles, and environmental damage from Soviet agricultural policies. This legacy has resulted in social, political, and economic challenges, as well as ongoing conflicts for independence in regions like the Caucasus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The legacy of the Soviet Union created significant challenges in both Russia and Central Asia following its collapse in 1991. The policy of redrawing borders and assigning national identities during the Soviet era led to strengthened identities for some and weakened identities for others, often without regard to historical ethnic distribution. The resultant ethnic tension and forced migrations, particularly those involving large Russian minorities in newly independent states, became one of the saddest legacies. Additionally, the imposition of collective farming disrupted traditional nomadic lifestyles, contributing to cultural upheaval and economic difficulties in Central Asia.
Central Asian republics such as Kazakhstan dealt with disproportionate numbers of ethnic Russians post-independence, which was a direct consequence of Soviet policies of forced Russification and settlement. This demographic imbalance created social and political challenges as newly independent nations struggled to establish a unified national identity. Also, the environmental degradation due to ill-planned Soviet agricultural policies compounded the difficulties faced by these countries.
In a broader sense, the Soviet policy of supporting corrupt and unpopular Communist regimes, evidenced through interventions like in Afghanistan, had long-term impacts leading to political instability, economic strain, and decreased international prestige. This legacy impacted not just Russia and Central Asia, but also Eastern Europe. The Soviets' attempts to impose their control over various ethnic groups via Russification and political domination also generated resentment and a complex post-Soviet landscape fraught with conflict and a quest for independence in regions like the Caucasus.